F 621 
. 165 
Copy 1 



A HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



.OR. 



THE DISCOVERY, SETTLEMENT, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, 
TOPOGRAPHY, NATURAL RESOURCES, GEOLOGY, CLIMA- 
TOLOGY, COMMERCIAL FACILITIES, AGRICULTURAL 
PRODUCTIVENESS, MANUFACTURING ADVAN- 
TAGES, EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS, HEALTII- 
FULNESS, GOVERNMENT AND THE 
EXCELLENCE OF THE SOCIAL 
AND MORAL LIFE 



.OF. 



THE STATE OF IOWA. 



The Brightest Star in the flrnerican Constellation. 



CHARLES ASHTON, JAMES 0. CROSBY AND J. W. JARNAGIN, 

("ommittee on Archaeological, Historical and Statistical Information, Iowa 
CT Columbian Commission. 






PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSION A D., 1893. 



LIBRARY OF CO NGRESS. 

Chap.. f kid 

Shelf _ .^XfcS". 



UNITED STATES OF AMEEIOA. . 



- ^ili^ti'.-:S£4.«r 



ERRATA. 

Page 14, last line, first paragraph, omit the word o7ie. 
Page 17, in fourth line from top, for Northu'estern read Northeaatern. 
Page 61, ninth line, fourtli paragraph, for 1880 read 1870. 
Page 64, first line, first paragraph, for country read county. 
Page 77, bottom line, for oion read now. 

Page 138 bottom line, third paragraph, read, and are winning highest 
honors. 



NOTE. 



Wo are ku^rJ^MJ 1" the o ffice of tlie Superintendent of Public Iustru<- 
tion for Chapter XXVIII of thTrwo'"'-' 




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R HAND BOOK OF lOWfl 



.OR. 



THE DISCOVERY. SETTLE^IENT, GEOGKAPIIK'AL LOCATION, 
TOPOGRAPHY, NATURAL RESOURCES, GEOLOGY, CLIMA- 
TOLOGY, COMMERCIAL FACILITIES, AGRICULTURAL 
PRODUCTIVENESS, MANUFACTURING ADVAN- 
TAGES, EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS, HEALTH- 
FULNESS, GOVERNMENT, AND THE 
EXCELLENCE OF THE SOCIAL 
AND MORAL LIFE 



OF. 



THE STATE OF IOWA. 



The Brightest Star in the flrnerican Constellation. 



CHARLES ASHTON, JAMES 0^ CROSBY AND J. W. JARNAGIN, 

Committee on Archaeological, Historical and Statistical Information, Iowa 
Columbian Commission. 



PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSION A. D., 1 S93. 



/ - /; 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



I. PAGE. 

Introductory Remarks 1 

11. 
The Name Iowa. Orij^in. Meaning 1 

III. 
Discovery. IJy whom. Time. Place 1 

IV. 
Settlement. Providential Circumstances, Rapid Development 3 

V. 

Boundaries and Area ^ 

VI. 

Geographical Location fi 

VII. 
Topography. Elevations. Landscapes. Rivers. Lakes. Spirit Lake 

Massacre "^ 

VIII. 
Iowa a Prairie State. Advantages for Settlement. Changed Conditions. I'i 

IX. 

Geological Surveys 14 

X. 
The Geology of Iowa. Relation of Geology to Agriculture. Forma- 
tions. Rocks. Soils. Coal, Etc 14 

XL 
Climatology. Importance of climatic conditions. General climatic 

features. Precipitation. Temperature, Etc 28 

XIL 
Natural Resources. Water. Medicinal Waters. Soil. Clays. Sands. 

Stone. Gypsum. Coal. Iron. Lead. Zinc 4"^ 

XIII. 
Commercial Facilities. River Navigation. Railroads. First Pro- 
jected. Construction. Land Grants in aid of. Present Mileage. 
General Distribution. Present Taxable Valuation. Tonnage 

Carried. Earnings. Number of employees. Salaries, etc 51 

XIV. 
Postal Facilities. Telegraphs. Telephones HT 



XV. PAGE. 

Banking. State and Savings Banks. Capital. Deposits, Etc. Private. 
Banks. Loan and Trust Companies. National Banks. Capital. 

Deposits 57 

XVI. 
Insurance. Fire and Life. Home and Foreign Companies. Volume 

of Business, Etc 58 

XVIL 
Development of Wealth. Demonstration of Figures. Comparative 

Growth of Population and Wealth 59 

XVIII. 

Finance and Taxation 62 

XIX. 
Agricultural Excellence and Productiveness. Rank of State, in Area 
and Population. Grain Productiveness. Demonstrative Figures. 

Value of Agricultural Production 64 

XX. 

The Oldest Legends of the Origin of Maize (58 

XXI. 
The Live Stock Industry. Its Growth. Comparative Values. Grain 
Products and Live Stock. Six Leading States — Iowa Leading. 
Cattle. Sheep. Swine. The Grasses. Flax 75 

xxn. 

The Dairy Industry. Number of Milch Cows in the Country. Value, 
Etc. Number and Value of Milch Cows in Iowa Compared 
with Other Leading States. Iowa Dairy Display at the ('entennial 
and the New Orleans Expositions. Value of Iowa's Dairy Pro- 
ducts. Their Importance in our Agricultural Industry 70 

XXIII. 
Horticulture. N^urseries. Their N^umber. Value. Employees. Value 
of Products. Fruit Production. Shipments. Vegetable Pro- 
duction. Hands Employed. Productions. Growth of the Industry. 
Floriculture. Florist Establishments. Male, Female Employees. 
Seed Farms. Value of Products. State Encouragement. State 

Societies. State and other Fairs. Poultry 81 

XXIV. 

The Native Flora of Iowa 8() 

XXV. 

Forests and Artificial Groves. Growth of Woods, Etc 89 

XXVI. 
Manufacturing Interests. Inviting Outlook for Manufacturing 

Industries 90 

XXVII. 

The Iowa Fish Commission and its Work 95 

XXVIII. 
Education in Iowa. First Schools. Law of 1858. The System 



I'AOK. 

Described. School/ Houses. Scliool Fiiiaiices. Educational 

Associations. State Scliools. ("losing Summary '■*(• 

XXIX. 

Public T>ibniries 1(15 

XXX. 
Churches and C'liurch Work in Iowa, (irowth. Dcnouiinational 
Organizations. Statistical Table. Denoininatioual and Non- 
Sectarian Colleges and rnivcrsities. Parochial Schools 105 

XXXI. 
Iowa Palaces. Corn Palace, Flax Palace, Blue (Irass Palace, Coal 

Palace 115 

XXXII. 

Iowa Books and Authors 110 

XXXIII. 

Iowa and Patriotism 127 

XXXIV. 

Iowa and Art i;j() 

XXXA'. 
Iowa in AVorld's Expositions. At Paris. At New Orleans. In the 

World's Columbian Exposition \W 

XXX\ I. 

Population tabulated. 1S4U, 1S50, 1800, INTO, 1«80, 18!)0 141 

XXXVII. 

State (lovermnent and Institutions 14:5 

XXXVIII. 

Pauperism 1.53 

XXXIX. 
The Newspaper Press 15o 



INTRODOCTQRY... 



Of Iowa we write. Our task is to set forth its discovery, settlement, 
geograptiical location, topographical features, geology, climate, soils, 
minerals, rivers, agricultural advantages and productiveness, its commer- 
cial opportunities, educational facilities, development, progress and the 
excellence of its intellectual, social and moral life. The subject is broad 
yet inviting, the duty is a pleasant one, yet in many respects one difficult of 
accomplishment. The artist who would attempt to present with the brush 
the grandeur of hue and majestic form of the bow of promise would find 
the task to lie beyond the reach of his culture or the grasp of his endow- 
ments. So the pen is inadequate to present in its bright and winsome 
reality this realm of topographical beauty, rich resources, gracious climate 
and excellent development which earth's millions now know as the State 
of Iowa. 

THE NAflE, IOWA. 

Prior to the settlement of the region a tribe of the aboriginal inhabi- 
tants were designated by a term from which we have the name of Iowa. 
An intelligent and early pioneer of the territory now forming the state, 
well acquainted with its native tribes and their languages, Mr. Antoine 
Le Claire, stated that this word, used by its original inhabitants to designate 
the portion of the country which they occupied, signified "This is the 
land." Pre-eminently among its sister states Iowa is "the land." 

DISCOVERY. 

Iowa was first seen by white men in the summer of 1673, two hundred 
and twenty years ago. The French settlers then occupying Lower Canada, 
in exploring the great lakes and their connections, had reached Mackinaw, 
and the Catholic church had formed at that place a missionary settlement. 
In their association with the Indians its missionaries heard of a great river 
in the west that came out of the north and flowed into the far-away south, 
and a wonderful land along its shores. So enrapturing were the descrip- 
tions given of the "Father of Waters" and the beauties of the treeless land 
bordering it, that an educated missionarj% then laboring at Mackinaw for 
the conversion of the Indians, became possessed of an intense desire to 
explore it. 

Louis Joliet, a young man of Canadian birth, but of French descent, 
well educated, active and ambitious, traveling under the authority of the 
government of Quebec, reached Mackinaw in one of his adventurous 
voyages of exploration. There he met Jacques Marquette, an educated 
missionary priest. These two energetic men with five French-Canadian 
attendants, left Mackinaw on the thirteenth day of May, 1673, in two bark 



2 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

canoes to reach, if possible, the great river of which they had heard, and 
explore "the beautiful land." Father Marquette and his companion, Joliet, 
were both intent on enlarging the dominion of the French government, but 
the former was more directly concerned in propagating the Catholic faith 
among the native tribes in the then unknown interior region of this 
then unknown west. Leaving Mackinaw in their two canoes, frail vessels 
for such a voyage, with "some Indian corn and some dried meats as their 
stock of provisions," these intrepid Christian leaders coasted along the 
western shores of Lake Michigan into Green Bay, On reaching the mouth 
of the Fox River they entered it and ascended to the portage, where, being- 
directed by Indian guides, they transferred their canoes and provisions to 
the Wisconsin river and descended the stream. On the seventeenth day 
of June when near its mouth they looked across a greater stream", the 
"Missi," great, and "Sepe", river, on the western shore of which rose the 
high bluff on which, in 1805, Lieut. Pike planted the United States flag. 
Then had they the first view ever enjoyed by white men of the strange land 
on the sunset side of the great river which their venturous voyage was 
made to discover. 

Of the thoughts and emotions of those men, forming that day the 
vanguard of our present Christian civilization in this central west, we have 
no record. Something of the strange musings they indulged as they rode 
in their fragile vessels amidst their strange, weird surroundings, we are 
left to imagine. Gliding slowly down the great stream on that June day, 
the valley and the not far away hills that bound it were clothed in summer 
luxuriance. As they entered the Mississippi to their right, but little above 
them on the Wisconsin shore lay a beautiful prairie, reaching miles up the 
great stream and some three miles back from the river, but this they did 
not see. In front of them on the Iowa side of the larger river were the 
high bluffs, but turning down the stream they were soon in a delightful 
river archipelago. The first Iowa prairie they beheld was that on which 
the town of Guttenburg was built. In all this varying scenery they saw no 
sign of human form or habitation. It is said they rode on the river four 
days before the first sign of human inhabitant was seen. Then they beheld 
human footprints in the sand. 

How profound the solitude in which they rode ! 

How wonderfully different that great valley now from its condition, 
then ! Those men must have been conscious that they were in a vast in- 
habitable region, but had but slight conception of its present wonderful 
development and civilization, more beneficent than any which in their day 
shed blessings upon humanity; which in this celebrative year graces with 
its wealth of happiness the dwellers in the great central region which they 
then discovered, but now having w^orld-wide fame alike for its beauty and 
its productiveness. 

In this commemorative year which calls the millions of the na- 
tion to the shores of the great lake, from which those men began their 
voyage, should any of these millions traverse this interior region^they will 
find on the shores of the great river then discovered, ten Christian com- 
monwealths, all free, powerful states, yet parts of this one powerful Nation- 
ality. Those ten states have a population of nineteen millions"of Christian 



THE SETTLEiWENT OF IOWA. 3 

people, and possess a wealth surpassinir the riches of the wealthiest nation 
of as recent date as Iowa's discovery; while on that tree-clad, western shore 
on which those men first looked with inquiring anxiet}', there is now this 
beautiful state, the home of tw'o millions of the most prosperous, intelligent 
orderlj' and happy people of earth. In the intervening years, this reo-ion 
then nameless to those adventurous voyagers, largely covering the fertile 
peninsula formed by the two largest rivers of the country, then an unex- 
plored, herbage-covered land, inhabited only sparsely by an uncultured 
savage race, has made a progress in civilized attainment that must ever be the 
marvel of the country's history. Here are now commercial facilities 
manufacturing forces, educational advantages, and a Christian freedom and 
liberality unknown to the world when this beautiful portion of the country 
was discovered. 

THE SETTLEMENT OF IOWA. 

The territory bordering the Mississippi river extending eastward of 
that stream to the Alleghanies and westward to the Rocky Mountains, and 
from the Gulf by which, thrives the stately palm and fragrant orange, to the 
great lakes, was bj^ right of discovery subject to the crown of France. In 
the course of human events that portion of this interior territory west of the 
Mississippi and reaching from Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexico passed 
under the dominion of the Spanish crown. In 1800 Spain receded this 
great territory to the French government. That part of the original French 
possessions in this region lying north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi 
had, by the conquest of Canada, become subject to the British crow^n, and 
by the fortunes of war in the American ReVolution had subsequentlv be- 
come United States territory. In 1803, by the treaty arrangement known 
as the Louisiana Purchase, France ceded its possessions along the Missis- 
sippi river to the United States government. The wise action of the Jeffer- 
son administration in extending the western frontier of the country to the 
Rocky Mountains, secured to this fertile prairie-interior the advantao-es 
forever, of free government and liberal laws. 

When the Revolutionary war closed settlements soon began to extend 
w^est of the Alleghanies from New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the 
New England states. In 1802 Ohio was admitted into the Union. In 1730 
the French had formed a settlement at Vincennes and in 1809 Indiana was 
given state government. Yet in 1810 its population numbered only 23,890 
white persons. In 1720 the French had formed a settlement at Kaskaskia. 
In 1818, lacking but two years of a century thereafter, Illinois was 
given a place as a state in the Union. Yet in the centennial anniversary 
year of the founding of that settlement at Kaskaskia that state con- 
tained a population of only 53,788 white persons. A French settlement 
was formed at Detroit, ^lichigan, in 1701 but the census of 1830, taken 129 
years thereafter, reported the population of the ^Michigan territory at only 
31,346. Several more years passed before the American Congress gave it 
statehood. 

At the close of the first third of the present century the population of 
the four states formed out of the old Northwestern Territory covering the 
region between the Ohio river, the Mississippi and the Great Lakes had a 



4 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

population only a little in excess of one and a half millions of white per- 
sons. In 1870, forty-three years after the permanent settlement of Iowa 
began, it had a larger population than Michigan, the settlement of which 
was commenced a century and a half before the first settlement was 
founded in Iowa. 

For 113 years after the discovery of Iowa by Joliet and Marquette it 
remained virtually an unknown land. In that cycle of slow transportation, 
limited reading, but numerous discoveries of new lands, the discovery, of 
this interior portion of the North American continent had failed to attract 
public attention. No effort was made to effect any settlement within the 
borders of what is now the state of Iowa, until the fall of 1788. Julien Du- 
buque, an adventurous French trader, having secured from the Indians a 
grant of land extending southwardly from the Little Maquoketa river 
seven leagues along the Mississippi by three leagues inland, embracing 
about 121,000 acres, formed a settlement thereon. On it, it is said Dubuque 
"improved an extensive farm, built houses to dwell in, erected a horse mill, 
cultivated the farm and mined lead." lie died in 1810 and his possessions 
w^ere soon controlled by others. The Indians became dissatisfied with the 
lead mining and other conduct of their French and half breed neighbors, 
drove them from their mines and homes, and broke up the settlement. 

In March 1799 Louis Honori obtained a grant of land from the gov- 
ernment of Upper Louisiana in Lee county, where the town of Montrose 
now stands, near the head of the rapids in the Mississippi river. The tract 
was sold from him in 1803 and a settlement, founded by him, was abandoned. 

Various venturesome parties of hunters, trappers and Indian traders 
made temporary settlement along the Mississippi, within the limits of Iowa, 
from 1820 to 1830, but did not permanently remain. In 1809 a military 
post had been established on the present site of Ft. Madison. , The troops 
however did not long occupy the post, its establishment having been in 
violation of treaty stipulation made with the Indian occupants of the region 
it was abandoned bv the government. 

The city of St. Louis was founded in 17G4. It soon had trade with the 
Indians. In 1804 that city, the river approaches of which were then 
nayigated by only flat boats and Indian canoes, passed, by the Louisiana Pur- 
chase, under the dominion of the United States government. Three years 
later Robert Fulton made his successful trial trip on the Hudson with the 
"Clermont", and steam, as a motive power on American rivers, was demon- 
strated to be a practical force, and soon had large application. In 1817 the 
first steamboat reached St. Louis. That city then passed from its primal 
stage, as a mere trading post for Indians and hunters, to a growing and im- 
portant commercial center. Steam navigation being applied on the Ohio 
and Mississippi brought settlers into southwestern Illinois and northeastern 
Missouri and prepared the way for the settlement of Iowa. 

The western border of Iowa was first traced in 1805 by the Lewis and 
Clark expedition on its famous journey across the continent by way of the 
Missouri and Columbia rivers. Maj. Pike traced its eastern border as he 
ascended the Mississippi river to its source about the same time. The re- 
ports of these expeditions published by the government, with the reports of 
the journeys of hunters and Indian traders through the territorj", spread 



BOUNDARIES AND AREA. 5 

knowledge of the remarkable beauty and natural excellence of this then 
far western re»;ion. When the Indians were Anally subdued b}- the defeat 
of Black Hawk at the "Bad Axe" in 1832, and permanent safety was thereby 
assured to venturesome pioneers, settlements rapidl}^ formed on the Iowa 
side of the Mississippi. Xo region, ever opened for settlement, offered 
more inviting advantages to home seekers, and they were rapidly embraced. 

In 1833 the area now comprising the state of Iowa was a part of the ter- 
ritory of Michigan. Its legislature organized two counties within what is 
now Iowa, naming them Des ^loiues and Dubuque. Three years later, 
namely in 1836, Congress organized the territory of Wisconsin— Iowa con- 
stituting a part of that territory. In 1838 the territory of Iowa was consti- 
tuted b}^ act of Congress, and Robert Lucas of Ohio was appointed to the 
office of Governor. The first legislature of the Iowa territory assembled 
November 12th, 1838, at Burlington. Iowa, as a territory, embraced a con- 
siderable portion of what is now^ the state of Minnesota, and had almost un- 
limited expansion toward the setting sun. 

On the opening of Iowa for settlement in 1833 settlers rushed into the 
lead mining regions surrounding Dubuque, and that city was founded. In 
1836, three j^ears after Iowa was opened for settlement, the population of 
the territory numbered 10,315. Two j'ears later the population had in- 
creased to 22,850. In the census of 1840, taken but seven years after the 
territory was opened for settlement, the population numbered 43,112. Six 
years later a state enumeration found the population to be upward of 100,- 
000. The star of empire was taking its way westward, the people of the 
timber-clad east had heard of the beauty and richness of this 
prairie laud where a farm could be made in a season with a yoke of oxen 
and a plow, and were coming in by thousands to enjoy the beauty of its 
broad landscapes, the glory of its sunshine, the purity of its waters and the 
fertility of its acres. In 1850, but seventeen j-ears after the building of the 
first cabin in its permanent settlement, the second national enumeration 
therein reported a population of 192,214 free men and women. December 
S, 1846, but thirteen j^ears after its first permanent settlers entered 
upon its soil, Iowa was admitted into the Union. The fame of 
its wonderful natural meadows and the beauty and fertility of its 
prairies had spread, not only over this country, but had crossed the seas and 
the people of other countries, as well as the states in the east were crowd- 
ing in to find homes in this richly inviting region of the prairie west. 

BOUNDARIES AND AREA. 

The constitution under which Iowa was admitted into the Union fixed 
the boundaries of the state as follows "Beginning in the middle of the 
main channel of the Mississippi river at a point due east of the middle of 
the mouth of the main channel of the Des Moines river, thence up the mid- 
dle of the main channel of the said Des 3Ioines river, to a point on said 
river where the northern boundary line of the state of Missouri, as estab- 
lished by the constitution of that state, adopted .June 12th, 1820 — crosses 
the said middle of the main channel of the said Des ^loiues river, thence 
westwardi}' along the said northern boundary line of the state of 3Iissouri 



6 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

as established at the time aforesaid, until the extension of said line inter- 
sects the middle of the main channel of the Missouri river; thence up the 
middle of the main channel of the said Missouri river to a point opposite 
the middle of the main channel of the Big Sioux river, intersected by the 
parallel of forty-three degrees thirty minutes north latitude, (a range of 
latitude possessing a temperate climate most highlj- favorable for agricul- 
tural production.) The area of the state covers on the forty-second parallel 
six ranges of townships east of the fifth P. M., the fourteenth meridan west 
of Washington and the ninetieth west from Greenwich, and on the same 
parallel forty-five townships west of that meridan. Estimating each town- 
ship at six miles the state has an extreme length east and west of 306 miles 
by a breadth of about 204 miles, including in its breadth thirty- four sur- 
veyed townships. According to a report made by the Secretary of the 
Treasury to the United States Senate in March, 1863, it embraces 55,044 
square miles, or 35,220,200 acres — an area larger than Scotland, almost as 
large as England, four times the size of the kingdom of Denmark, five times 
as large as Belgium; three times as large as the kingdom of Greece, that 
made the world's pre-Christian historj^ interesting by it glorious deeds and 
the splendor of its philosophy and architecture; and it is five times the area 
of the land of Judea, that gave to the world its noblest ethical code, and to 
the race its Redeemer. 

Such is the state of Iowa in its location and area; greater than many 
powerful, wealthy kingdoms in extent, and the equal of great empires in 
natural resources. The free bestowmeut of the beneficent Creator, its pro- 
ductive caiDabilities are yet unmeasured, its every acre being fertile. Bar- 
ren, rock}', sterile, sandy or great swamp areas being unknown in its extent, 
its ultimate wealth producing power cannot be estimated. 



GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. 

An artist once represented Columbus as standing and survej-ing the 
North American continent. When his ej'^es rested upon the brightest spot, 
central in the vast expanse, that spot was named Iowa. Geographically it 
is centrally located in this union of states. On the forty-second parallel its 
eastern boundary is upwards of one thousand miles from the Atlantic's tide 
by Plymouth Rock, while on the same parallel from its western border to 
the Pacific's surf-beaten shore, fifteen hundred miles intervene. From the 
northern line of the state to the British possessions by the Lake of the 
Woods, the distance is four hundred miles, while between the southern bor- 
der of the state and the Gulf coast lie the states of Missouri, Arkansas and 
Louisiana, covering an expanse of 760 miles. A position so central in the 
richest, freest and most powerful nation of modern times, and central in the 
vast system of river navigation connected with the great streams that form 
its eastern and western boundaries, and so situated that the principal lines 
of railway binding ocean to ocean must cross its territory, must ever possess 
incalculable advantages in the security its location aifords, the markets it 
assures, and the commercial advantages that must ever accrue to its 
citizens. 



TOPOGRAPHY. 7 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

Iowa is not only princely in its area and highly fortunate in its geo- 
graphical location, but it is -winsome in its topography. In the days of a 
geographical ignorance, which an intelligent world remembers now with 
smiles, Iowa may have been placed in school-book maps in "The Great 
American Desert." But if this beautiful and fertile state was ever a desert, 
then surely it was that one of which the Lord's prophet spoke when he de- 
clared "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and 
the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. ****** ^he 
glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it and the excellency of Sharon." No 
grander cedars ever grew on Lebanon than now adorn Iowa homes, and no 
more beautiful or fragrant roses ever bloomed along the sunny slopes of 
Sharon than now grow in this realm of Edenic loveliness. 

One of the more noticeable features of the topography of Iowa is the 
entire freedom of the state from barren, rocky elevations, or other waste 
lands. It has no Saharas, dismal swamps, nor fever-breeding everglades. 

From railroad surveys and other sources of information we have defin- 
ite knowledge of the elevation of the chief portions of the state. Low 
water in the Mississippi at the southeastern corner of the state, its lowest 
point, being 444 feet above sea level. 

The point recognized as its highest elevation is on the summit divide 
near Spirit Lake, Dickinson county, it being estimated at 1250 feet above 
low water at Keokuk, giving the highest point in Iowa an elevation of only 
1,694 feet; between these extremes in elevation lies all of Iowa. To show 
more clearly by comparison the moderate elevations of this area, we notice 
that its highest point is 165 feet lower than the Union Pacific railroad grade 
in the Platte valley at Grand Island, Nebraska, the grade at that station 
being 1,860 feet above tide. 

The water in the Big Sioux river at the northwestern corner of the state 
is 1344 feet above the tide level. This is the descent from that point to the 
Gulf of Mexico via the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. 

The crest of the state or the summit forming the water shed between 
the waters of the Mississippi and the Missouri lies diagonally across the 
state; its general trend being from the northwest to the southeast. Entering 
Iowa from Minnesota where it separates the waters of the Des Moines and 
Little Sioux rivers, it leaves the state entering Missouri near the southeast 
corner of Appanoose county, there separating the waters of the Chariton 
river from the Fabius creek, having crossed in its course through the state 
Dickinson, Clay, Buena Vista, Sac, Carroll, Audubon, Guthrie, Adair, Madi- 
son, Union, Clark, Lucas, Monroe and Appanoose counties. 

The altitude of this important ridge is shown by the elevations at 
which it is crossed by the five chief railroad lines crossing the state from 
east to west. The most southern of these lines is the Chicago, Burlington 
and Quincy. It touches this great water-shed twice. First at Chariton, 
Lucas county, at an elevation of 1,080 feet, and the second time at Murray, 
Clark county, thirty-seven miles west of Chariton at an altitude of 1,268 
feet. This line of road reaches its highest altitude in the state at Creston, 
Union county, 1,355 feet, on the divide separating the Platte and Grand 



8 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

rivers, affluents of the Missouri. The Chicago, Rocli Island and Pacific 
railroad, the next line north of the one first named, crosses^this watershed 
in the northweetern part of Adair county, at the town of Adair, at an eleva- 
tion of 1,389 feet. The summit of the divide at this point is fifty feet above 
the railroad grade. The Chicago and Xorthwestern railroad crosses this 
watershed at or near Arcadia, in Carroll county, at an elevation of 1,437 
feet. The Dubuque and Sioux City (Illinois Central) crosses it at Alta. 
Buena Vista county, at an altitude of 1,521 feet. Thus the three roads 
named reach their highest elevations in the state at the crossing of this 
divide. 

The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway crosses it at or near 
Ruthven, Palo Alto county, at an elevation of 1,424 feet, but this road 
reaches its summit elevation at Sanborn, O'Brien county, 1,537 feet above 
tide, on the divide separating the east and west branches of the Floyd river. 

The facts here stated show the evenness of the altitude of the summit 
of the state and that there is a very moderate and easy descent across the 
state from the northwest to the southeast. From Sanborn to Chariton the 
descent is 475 feet. The distance is two hundred miles in a direct line, the 
descent averaging 2.37 feet to the mile. 

Any map of Iowa will show that the rivers in that part of the state 
which lies east of the great watershed, trend toward the southeast and flow into 
Mississippi, and that in the portion lying west of that summit all the rivers 
flow into the Missouri with a south westernly trend. The traveler crossing 
Iowa soon discovers that, although a prairie state, and lying under the 
moderate elevations given, it is not a breadth of swampy levels, but a realm 
of beautiful undulations, — in some places rising from the streams somewhat 
abruptly but seldom precipitously. The divides separating the numerous 
streams generally rising to an altitude of 175 to 250 feet, afford a constant 
succession of changing scenery. No country affords more graceful land- 
scapes, when clothed in summer's green or when its groves are dyed in 
their autumn robes of silver, scarlet, gold and purple. Iowa landscapes are 
grandly beautiful, and the traveler sees a breadth of farm homes beautiful 
in situation and surroundings. The great fields of growing grain, in their 
season, add beauty to the delighting panoramas by every shade of green, 
covering the broad and billowy areas over which the eye extends. In the 
summer season great herds and flocks feed amid blooming flowers and rich 
herbage, and add enchanting variety to the inviting picture. In that season 
the enriching, life-giving sunshine paints the floral gemmed-meadows with 
a brilliancy of hue that makes the broad landscapes over which the vision 
reaches, constantly discovering new charms, superbly winsome. Para- 
phrasing the language of inspiration we may truly say, "beautiful for situa- 
ion, and the joy of her people" is beautiful, fertile Iowa. 

RIVERS. 

Iowa is a realm of beautiful, perennial streams flowing in deep chan- 
nels and with rapid current. Prof. White in the first volume of his report 
on the geology of the state, tabulates the descent of the principal rivers of 
the state according to railroad surveys and other sources of information 
which we here copy. 



RIVERS. 



Name 




OF River. 




Missigsippi 


From 


Missouri 


From 


Des Moines — 


From 


Des Moines .. 


From 


Raccoon 


From 


North Raccoon 


From 


Skunk 




Skunk 




Iowa 


From 


Iowa 


From 


Cedar 


From 


Cedar 


From 


Wapsipinicon . 


From 


Maquoketa 


From 


Turkey 


From 


Upper Iowa... 


From 


E. Nislinabotiia 


From 


W Nishnabotna 


From 


Boyer 


From 


Big Sioux 


From 


Big Sioux 


From 


Little Sioux.. . 


From 


Little Sioux. . . 


From 


Floyd 


From 



Part or Couuse. 



1 Lansing to the Confluence of the Missouri 

Sioux City to Council Bluffs 

Fort Dodge to Uttumwa 

Ottumwa to its mouth 

Forks near Van Meter to mouth 

JeiTerson to Forks near Van Meter 

Oakland to its mouth 

Colfax Station to Oakland 

Iowa Falls to Iowa City 

Iowa City to its mouth 

State boundary to Cedar Falls 

Cedar Falls to Moscow 

Independence to mouth 

iSIanchester to the mouth 

Crane Creek to the mouth 

Decorah to the mouth 

C. R. I. & P. R. R. to mouth 

C. R. I. & P. R. R. to mouth 

Denison to its mouth 

Indian Creek to moutli 

N. W. corner of State to Indian Creek. . 

Cherokee to Sm>aland 

Smithland to its mouth 

fork of Willow Creek to mouth 



Slope 


PER Mile. 


FT. IN. 


6 


1 


2 4 


1 11 


3 11 


4 


1 6 


2 2 


3 1 


2 4 


3 7 


2 5 


2 10 


3 4 


5 


8 6 


2 5 


2 8 


3 3 


1 4 


3 2 


2 6 


4 


3 



R. R 
R. R 
R. R 
R. R 



J.E.Ainsworth. 

R. R. Surveys. 
Surveys- 
Surveys. 
Surveys.. 
Surveys.. 

R. R. Surveys-. 

R. R. Surveys- 

R. R. Surveys- 

R. R. Surveys- 

R. R. Surveys. 

R. R. Surveys. 

J.E.Ainsworth. 

J.E.Ainsworth. 

R. R. Levels. 

R. R. Levels. 

R. R. Levels. 

R. R. Levels. 

R. R. Levels. 

Estimated. 

Estimated. 

R, R. Levels. 

R. R. Levels. 

J.E.Ainsworth. 



From this table it will be seen that the rivers of Iowa are not sluggish^ 
stagnant streams. The Little Sioux has rapid fall from its source in the 
lakes in Dickinson county, on the summit divide, to Smithland. The streanii 
furnishes many water powers in its course through Clay and other counties^ 
Below Smithland it strikes the broad flood-plain of the Missouri, and so its 
small descent below that town is explained. 

The Skunk is perhaps the flattest stream in the state, yet it flows witk 
a strong current in its labyrinth of bends through the broad flood-plain ia 
which its channel is cut. The traveler who had to cross this river in early- 
days will never forget the "Skunk bottoms." But now with graded and 
bridged roads, its wide bottom lands are grand pastures and wealth produc- 
ing properties. 

Lying in the peninsula bounded by the rivers forming its east- 
ern and western boundaries, Iowa is not situated to afford inter- 
ior navigable streams. Its largest interior river, the Des Moines, hast 
its source in Minnesota, and flows with a southeasterly trend east of the 
great watershed and empties its volume into the ]Mississippi at the south- 
east corner of the state. From Fort Dodge to Ottumwa, a distance in a 
direct line of 150 miles, its descent of two and a half feet per mile gives it a 
rapid current precluding any great value as a navigable stream but render- 
ing it of great value for manufacturing purposes. At Bonaparte, Ottumwa^ 
Des Moines and other places it is made to furnish important water power. 
Before the advent of railroads, steamboats plied on this river in the spring: 
and early summer, an occasional small boat running up as far as Fort Dodge. 
Steam boats occasionally, in those days, plowed their way up the Iowa and 



10 HAND BOOK O^ IOWA. 

Cedar rivers, but the advent of railroad facilities rendered those streams 
unnecessary for navigation and they have been given up to manufacturing pur- 
poses. Many of the rivers of Iowa and their affluents furnish numerous and 
valuable water powers. Some are improved for grist and other mill pur- 
poses, but many of the most valuable yet invite improvement. The Cedar 
furnishes water power of great value at Cedar Falls where the river de- 
scends about twenty-two feet in three-quarters of a mile. At Waterloo and 
also Cedar Rapids it furnishes important hydraulic power. The Iowa and 
many other streams also furnish valuable water powers at numerous places. 
The rivers of Iowa are classed in two systems. The one embracing the 
streams east of the watershed, the other the streams west of that ridge. The 
principal streams in the eastern system are the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Ma- 
quoketa, Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Iowa, Skunk and the Des Moines and its 
affluents, the principal of which are South, Middle and North rivers, the 
Raccoon with its branches and the Boone. In the western system we name 
the Floyd, Rock River, Little Sioux, Maple, Boyer, Nishnabotna, Nodaway, 
Platte, Grand and the Chariton. These are mostly perennial, manj^ of them 
serviceable in the milling and manufacturing power afforded. Along their 
course were many line native groves that attracted early settlers. All flow 
in fertile valleys bordered by sloping uplands and are sources of pleasure 
•as well as utility and add beauty by giving variety to the luxuriant land- 
scapes through their course. 

LAKES. 

The people of Iowa do not boast of the magnitude of their lakes nor 
■the surrounding grandeur of their "unsalted seas." Yet there are numbers 
of lakes with charming surroundings, several of which are becoming famous 
as places of resort for rest and pleasure. Iowa's lakes all lie in the central 
third of the northern half of the state, and its most elevated portion, where 
the watersheds are developed into broad table lands. None of her lakes are 
of value in aiding commerce by furnishing important water transportation. 
In the sporting season they are inviting to sportsmen, as they are visited by 
immense numbers of migrating waterfowls, as geese, ducks, brants, swans, 
pelicans, cranes, etc., and furnish large quantities of fine fish, it being true 
of them in this particular that "The waters brought forth abundantly." The 
lakes are mostly bodies of clear, pure water. On the shores of many of 
them are beautiful groves of native timber, located in breadths of charming 
scenery and are specially inviting to rest seekers and those desiring health- 
giving recreation. Clear Lake, in Cerro Gordo county, is about five miles 
in length by two in breadth. Rice Lake, Silver Lake and Bright's Lake in 
Worth county are small bodies of water from one to two miles long, Rice 
Lake lying partly in Winnebago county. Crystal Lake, Eagle Lake, Wood 
Lake, Lake Edwards and Twin Lakes are in Hancock county. Eagle Lake 
being the largest of the three. Lake Gertrude, Elm Lake, and Wall Lake, 
beautiful bodies of water, lie in Wright county, the largest of the three 
Wall Lake, being about three miles long by two broad. Twin Lakes in 
•Calhoun county are becoming a noted resort for fishing and pleasure par- 
ties; the Des Moines and Northwestern R. R. making them easily access- 
Able. The two cover a length of about four miles. They are separated by 



LAKES. II 

a narrow belt of land through which is cut a narrow stream . Some twenty- 
five miles from these Twin Lakes lies Wall Lake in Sac countj', which is 
becoming a famous health and pleasure resort. 

The maps of Iowa show three separate lakes within the state denomi- 
nated Wall Lake, one lying in Sac county, one (the largest of the three) in 
Wright county, and one (the smallest of the three) in Hamilton county 
The idea has been entertained that at some time in the ante-historic period 
some strange people built veritable stone walls along portions of the shores 
of these lakes; but that idea is a myth. Over that region in which those 
lakes lie, when vast icebergs or ponderous glaciers were exerting their 
mighty forces in forming the wonderful drift coverings of the region, great 
numbers of boulders were borne by these forces from the north country 
and deposited about these fresh water bodies. The forces of winter frosts 
and ice have lifted these boulders in the shallow portions of these lakes 
and have piled them by their shores. Fancy has conjured them into walls 
and so they have their name, and thus the stories of the "Walled lakes of 
Iowa" had their origin. 

In addition to the above named lakes we notice Swan Lake in Emmet 
county, which is one of the largest of Iowa lakes. It lies in the central 
portion of that county and is readily accessible from Estherville, the county 
seat. It is a beautiful pleasure resort. Storm Lake, one of the most beau- 
tiful lakes of Iowa, lies in Buena Vista county, on the line of the Illinois 
Central railroad and by it is the beautiful town of Storm Lake. The largest 
lakes in Iowa are Spirit Lake and the Okoboji, in Dickinson county. These 
lie on the great watershed and near the Minnesota line and being accessible 
■by the B., C. R. & N. and the C, M. & St. P. railways have become very 
popular summer resorts. 

In the winter of 1857 a band of Sioux Indians passed southwardly 
through northwestern Iowa, and on their return passed through Sac, Chero- 
kee and Dickinson counties. The winter was a severe one and in the first 
week of March the ground was covered with deep snow. The Indians had 
trouble with the few white settlers then dwelling in Sac and Cherokee 
counties, stealing and destroying the settlers' property. Reaching the 
Okoboji Lakes they perpetrated a fearful massacre of white settlers who 
were then dwelling in the surrounding groves. 

The few families settled in those groves, on account of the inclement 
weather and the deep snow covering the wide unsettled prairies of north- 
ern Iowa, were unable to seek protection from the distant settlements, there 
being no possibility of relief nearer than Fort Dodge, a hundred miles dis- 
tant. Upwards of forty persons were killed outright by those savages. 
The settlers' cabins were burned and their property destroyed, and some 
three or four females were carried ofE as pi:isoners. When the news of the 
massacre reached Fort Dodge a force was immediately raised to go to the 
relief of these settlements. The sufferings of that brave band of civilian 
soldiers were terribly severe. Two of them were frozen to death. The In- 
dians immediatelj' after the massacre fled into Minnesota and could not be 
overtaken by the pioneer force. 

Perhaps the only battle ever fought on Iowa soil between United States 
troops and Indian warriors took place some thirty miles east of Spirit Lake. 



12 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

A company of United States dragoons under command of Captain N. Boone,, 
about 1842, wliile crossing the state had a skirmish with an Indian band. 
Iowa has but a brief history of the heroic in Indian wars, or the sorrowful 
in the massacre of its early settlers by Indian foes. 

PRAIRIE. 

Iowa was early linown as a prairie state. Its broad, treeless areas were 
its glory. Its prairies were not in their natural condition vast marshes, or 
great breadths of sterile sand, barren of productive power, nor were they 
regions of cold barren clay. They soon became known as of the finest 
land, awaiting the plow to turn them into productive farms. On the fourth 
day after Monsieurs Marquette and Joliet entered the Mississippi they had 
their first view of an Iowa prairie in its summer dress of green and bloom. 
This great central region of the country was largely treeless then. How 
long it had existed thus is only known to Him who created it. Why, how, 
or when these breadths of fertile acres and beautiful landscapes became 
treeless, would be useless for us to inquire. 

Iowa's being so largely prairie favored its rapid settlement. Its first 
settlers had known something of the toilsome, slow process of making 
farms with a mattock and an axe in a heavily wooded country. In 1845 a 
man went into northwestern Ohio, bought an axe and commenced on a 
piece of timbered land to make a farm. He found it slow work. He after- 
wards came to Iowa, bought a half section of "raw prairie," went upon it 
with a breaking plow and team and broke the first furrow made on the 
tract a mile in length without a rock, grub, tree or stumb to hinder the 
plow. That was a speedier, saying nothing about its being an easier, way to 
make a farm. Then there was the continuous advantage of a stumpless 
field. When he settled in the Ohio woods he could not have cut a ton of 
hay on a hundred acres of his land; when he came to Iowa he could go out 
on the prairie with a mowing machine, cut the finest of blue-joint and make 
all the hay he wanted; as fine as was ever fed a horse. He visited a neigh- 
bor, an old settler, and going into his hay -yard he asked: "How much hay- 
have you there Mr. S ?" "I guess about 800 tons," was the reply. 

Every stem of it made from wild grass. The settler in Iowa soon saw there 
was a distinction with a difference between making a farm on eastern 
wooded lands and the prairies of Iowa. Infinite wisdom contrived seven- 
eights of Iowa's surface to be prairie that Iowa might the more speedily 
and easily be turned into a paradise. The prairies of Iowa did not invite 
settlers merely by the ease by which they were turned into fine farm homes,, 
but the beauty of the views they afforded, the breadth and grandeur of the 
great natural meadows and pastures they offered, and the ease of communi- 
cation they provided between neighbors and neighborhoods were potent in- 
fluences in inducing settlers from the heavily wooded east. 

The facility of intercourse offered by the Iowa prairie was no mean 
factor in inviting their rapid settlement. In driving across them there was 
no climbing over stumps and logs. A few trips indicated a road which was 
soon worn, if not into a straight, at least into a fine smooth, traveled way. The 
Iowa farmer had use for a carriage from his first settlement on the prairie. 
The writer knows something from experience of opening and traveling new 



PRAIRIE. 13 

roads in the east. Talk about the settler there having use for a carriage 
from its first settlement, he scarcely had use for such a vehicle in the first 
generation of its settlement. 

It has been objected that there are terrible blizzards and awful cyclones 
on these Iowa prairies. "We admit that there are storms in Iowa, but are 
there no tornadoes, no terrible storms and blizzards in timber covered 
coimtries? "We know there are tumults in nature's domain in all regions. 
]\Ien are helpless before nature's forces in all places, but destructive tor- 
nadoes in Iowa, like destructive earthquakes in California, are of but rare 
occarrence. 

There have been severe winters in Iowa but they have been few in its 
history. There may have been danger for pioneer settlers in journeying 
across Iowa prairies from winter blizzards in the past, but those dangers are 
now matters of history. Iowa winters on Iowa prairies are desirable now 
for the benefits and pleasures which they afford. 

The prairies, j^et beautiful, are not now as they were when the pioneer 
chased over them the agile deer and the fleeing elk. Their great breadths 
were then open commons with sloughs and streams unbridged. Fire, in the 
fall, swept off their summer vegetation and left naught to hold in place the 
falling snow. The settlers' cabins, built in grove or sheltered nook, were 
far apart. The great breadths of open prairie were houseless and many of 
the pioneer settlers were poor and thinly clad. Then there was nothing to mark 
the traveled road in the winter's snow storm, and the traveler seeking to 
cross the broad prairie may have been in danger when such a storm over- 
took him, distant from his home or a shelter. But terrible, life-destroying 
blizzards have been of rare occurrence in our history, while mild, beautiful, 
healthful winters, giving months of delightful sunshine and the smoothest, 
possible roads for winter travel, have been common. 

Our broad prairies, originally beautiful, have been made more grandly 
so bj' human handi-work, directed by cultured mind. Terrible i)rairie fires 
may be read about in our history, but they will never more be seen. Our 
great prairies now are broad realms of finely improved, or improving, pro- 
ductive and enclosed farms. Good roads are common and the farms dis- 
tinctly mark them. Streams and sloughs are bridged. Thrifty villages and 
thriving towns and cities are multiplied while the whole breadth of the 
country is flecked by beautiful artificial groves. Now, every where over 
Iowa prairies there are human habitations and the danger to a traveler in a 
winter blizzard is passed forever. 

But with all of this improvement and change made by human intelli- 
gence and industry there are some things pertaining to the prairies of Iowa 
which are xmchanged. The depth, the richness, the porousness of the soil, 
qualities which give it superior excellence for agricultural productiveness, 
are yet unchanged. Proper culture never diminishes but increases its pro- 
ductive power. The perennial streams coursing through these broad prai- 
ries, 3'et flow in the same channels cut deep into the earth, with the same, 
ever continuing, rapid current, yielding untold advantages in their sur- 
roundings. The prairies of Iowa, no longer grand in their wild luxuriance, 
have been made more truly beautiful by the art and industry inspired bv 
our Christian civilization, and will ever be renowned for their agricultural 



14 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

superiority. Beautiful, fertile and exuberantly productive, their possessors- 
are truly a fortunate people. 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS. 

The first geological explorations in Iowa were made by Dr. D. D. 
Owen, under United States authority. His field of work embraced parts of 
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. His report was published, a large quarto- 
volume one. 

The first geological survey in the state was made under the direction of 
Professor James Hall, State Geologist, in parts of the years 1855, 1856 and 
1857, with J. D. Whitney as chemist and mineralogist. Their reports were 
published in two illustrated volumes by authority of the General Assembly 
of 1858. 

In the years 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869 a second and more extensive 
geological survey of the state was made by Dr. Charles A. White, State 
Geologist, Orestes H. St. John, assistant; and Rush Emery, chemist. Their 
work is reported in two volumes printed by F. M. Mills, state printer, in 1870. 

The twenty-fourth General Assembly, deeming a new geological survey 
of Iowa desirable, made an appropriation for the work and appointed a 
commission to select a suitable geologist to make the survey. This com- 
mission selected Professor Samuel Calvin of the State University to take 
charge of the work, Dr. Charles R. Keyes, Assistant State Geologist and 
Professor G. E. Patrick, chemist. It is believed that this survey will lead 
to an enlarged development of the mineral interests of Iowa, and a fuller 
knowledge of the extent and value of its coal fields. 

A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 



By Charles R. Keyes, A. M., Ph. D., Assistant State Geologist. 



Iowa is so pre-eminently an agricultural state that usually her mineral 
resources are almost entirely overlooked. Yet her geological features are 
none the less interesting scientifically, none the less important from an 
economic standpoint. 

The mineral wealth of a community can only be developed through a 
liberal appreciation of its proper functions. Geology ranking first among 
the useful sciences, has for one of its leading objects the investigation of 
the natural resources of a region. It considers the characters of the differ- 
ent soils and their capabilities for agricultural purposes; the extent and 
value of the different deposits of coal and lead, iron and other ores; the 
distribution, properties and uses of the exhaustless beds of valuable clays - 
the accurate determination of the areas for artesian waters; the analysis of 
the mineral, well and river waters; the relative value and durability of the 
numerous kinds of building stones; and all kindred subjects which are of 
the utmost importance to the great body of citizens. 

Agriculture and geology are daily becoming more intimate in their re- 
lations. Nowhere has their inter-dependence been more clearly under- 
stood and nowhere have the benefits been more apparent than in certain 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. ly 

Europeau countries. Some of the older slates of the Union, especially 
those along the Atlantic border, have followed the same line of work with 
the most happy results. To-day it is almost universall}- conceded that 
a good geological map of a region is practically a soil map also. The proper 
comprehension of the close relations of the two sciences cannot fail, there- 
fore, to impress the truth of the statement. 

In pointing out the various mineral deposits a knowledge of the dis- 
tribution of the geological formations is of prime importance. Iowa pos- 
sesses a measureably complete sequence of strata. The Paleozoic beds^ 
from the Cambrian to the Upper Carboniferous, are very fully represented. 
The Mesozoic deposits, of Cretaceous age chiefly, are found in considerable 
thickness. Over all spreads a thick mantle of drift or L'-lacial debris. 

Below the soft, unconsolidated drift material the indurated sediments' 
are everywhere exposed through erosion. The complete vertical section of 
the rocks in the state shows a thickness of about five thousand feet. 

ALGOXKIAN ROCKS. 

Sioux Quartzite. The rocks exposed within the limits of the state 
which are usually regarded as the oldest geologically are those, called the 
Sioux quartzite or Sioux " granite," which form outcrops of considerable 
extent in the extreme northwestern corner of the state. While there is na 
doubt that all the stratified sediments of Iowa rest at no very great depth 
upon the fundamental complex of crystallines which probably support all 
the sedimentary rocks of the globe, the Sioux quartzite and its associated 
masses are the only truly metamorphosed or massive crystalline rocks hav- 
ing a surface exposure in the state. The common phase of the rock under 
consideration is a completely vitreous type not unlike red jasper in general 
appearance and properties. Other parts of the mass are less indurated; and 
still others are simply loose sand. In places the formation is distinctly 
conglomeratic. Although the quartzite has been rendered in places so 
thoroughly crystalline since its original deposition, no igneous rocks have 
been noted in the vicinitj' until very recently. 

A few months ago Professor G. E. Culver found in the midst of the Sioux 
quartzite of southeastern Dakota, within a few miles of the Iowa boundary^ 
a large exposure of black trap rock, which extends for more than a mile 
along one of the minor streams flowing into the Big Sioux river. Dr. "W. H. 
Hobbs, who has made careful microscopical examinations of the rock, finds 
it to be a coarse-grained olivine diabase — a massive basic rock unquestion- 
ably igneous in origin. It seems not improbable that further search will 
reveal other masses of the same rock or even other types of eruptives very 
similar. 

In quarrying, the quartzite presents numerous difficulties; but the 
labor in getting out the material is greatly reduced by the fact that it is 
everywhere jointed and cracked in such a manner as to enable it to be re- 
moved readily in convenient sizes for handling. It is one of the most com- 
pact and durable building stones in the northwest. For architectural pur- 
Doses it forms a very beautiful stone and is used for all kinds of construc- 
tion throughout the region. Some of the leading churches and office 
buildings in Sioux City, Omaha, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Burlington, and 
other places have been erected from this rock, with very pleasing effects. 



%6 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

It has also been used with good results as a paving material both in blocks 
and macadam. The chief quarries in Iowa are near Rock Ilapids, in Lyon 
■county, where the development of the quarry industry, though not so great 
as a few miles northward and westward, is capable of great expansion, 
since the stone may be obtained in practicaly inexhaustible quantities. 

Reference has been made to the occurrence of igneous rocks near the 
state boundary. It may be of considerable interest therefore to mention the 
fact that in sinking a number of deep wells in different parts of northwestern 
Iowa the drills have passed completely through sedimentary rocks into the 
■crystalline basement below, penetrating the latter in some cases to the 
extent of several hundred feet. At one of the latest borings, at Hull, in 
Sioux county, several thick beds of flint-like rocks were passed through, 
the different layers being separated by sands and gravels. These flint-like 
layers were found to be typical quartz-porphyry, a truly igneous rock, or 
lava, very acid in nature and essentially identical with granite, but cooling 
oinder somewhat different physical conditions. 

The presence of these massive crystalline rocks is very suggestive of 
agencies that may have been involved to some extent in metamorphosing 
the old Sioux sandstone. 

CAMBKIAN. 

Saint Croix Sandstone. In the extreme northeastern corner of Iowa, at 
the base of the high bluffs along the Mississippi river and its tributaries 
there is exposed a thick unconsolidated sand bed, which has been called by 
Minnesota geologists the Saint Croix sandstone. Its greatest thickness shown 
in Iowa is about two-hundred and fifty feet; but it is known to have a 
thickness of not less than one thousand feet, as has been disclosed by 
borings. While for the most part it is a soft sandstone wearing away 
rapidly under atmospheric influences there are in places clay seams and 
thin layers of lime-rock frequently developed. In the neighboring states 
the calcareous and argillaceous beds assume a much greater importance 
and form shales and shaley limestones which are charged with the remains 
of trilobites. This sandstone has been called by most writers on the 
geology of the Upper Mississippi Valley the "Potsdam," and has been re- 
garded as the western extension of the formation known by that name in 
New York. There is but little doubt, however, that the Saint Groix is very 
■distinct from the Potsdam sandstone of the Appalachian region, though the 
fauna is possibly equivalent to the si miliar one of the New York horizon. 

Although the formation has such a thickness in Iowa no subdivision of 
it into minor beds has been attempted. It does not have so great an impor- 
tance in this state as in the neighboring regions of Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

As a whole the Saint Croix sandstone of Iowa is of little economic value. 
At Lansing and some other localities there are thin beds of this formation 
which are sufficiently compact to furnish building stones of inferior quality. 
These layers are as yet only used for rough masonrj% As most of the sand- 
stone is very incoherent, it will furnish unlimited quantities of coarse 
and fine building sand; while certain light colored layers could be used for 
the manufacture of glass. 

SILURIAX. 

Oneota Liviestone. The name of this formation is that proposed by 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 17 

McGee for the rock usually known as the Lower Magnesiau limestone. 
Though attaining a thickness of between two and three hundred feet it is 
exposed onl}- over a small area in the northwestern portion of the state. 
Along the borders of the Mississippi it rises above the soft Saint Croix sand- 
stone in bold escarpments and castellated walls. For the most part the 
rock is a rather impure dolomite with occasional thin sandstone layers in 
the upper part. In color it is buff to brown. It is often vesicular and 
cavernous. In Wisconsin and Minnesota the lower Magnesian limestone 
embraces other layers than those represented in Iowa. The principal beds 
thus referred to are called the Willow river limestone and New Richmond 
sandstone in Wisconsin and the Shakopee limestone and white sandstone in 
Minnesota. 

The Oneota limestone is quarried at Lansing, Waukon, McGregor and 
other places in Clayton and Allamakee counties. For all ordinary masonry 
it supplies unlimited quantities of good material. Lime of a very good 
quality is also manufactured from this rock at a number of places- In 
certain localities considerable amounts of lead ore are found, but as yet this 
mineral has not been mined to any great extent in the lower Magnesian 
limestone. 

Saint Peter Sandstone. Overlying the Oneota limestone is a heavy bed 
of pure silicious sandstone, very friable and with few lines of stratification. 
It is sometimes somewhat indurated, but as a rule incoherent. This is the 
formation that has long been known in the Cpper Mississippi region under 
the name of the "pictured" rocks, best exposed perhaps in the vicinity of 
McGregor. Along the boundarj' of the state northward thin limestone 
layers are often intercalated. In places this sand formation graduates 
downward by a rapid increase of calcareous matter into the Oneota lime- 
stone. Economically it is of considerable importance in Iowa. Many of 
the layers are very pure and form excellent material for the manufacture 
of glass. 

Trenton Limestone. Contrasting sharply with the other Silurian lime- 
rocks of Iowa the Trenton is an ordinary blue limestone instead of a dolo- 
mite. For the most part it is a very compact rock, and often fossiliferous. 
Owing to its difference in lithological characters as compared with the 
other Silurian limestones it is honeycombed in places by cavities and 
caverns of greater or less extent. "It constitutes a conspicuous feature of 
the Mississippi river bluffs from above McGregor to near Eagle Point, Du- 
buque, and occurs as the surface rock over all or part of the counties of 
Allamakee, Howard, Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton. The Trenton 
limestone is interesting to the scientist on account of the number and beauty 
of the fossil remains inclosed in some of the strata. Here occur the oldest 
types of life that have been preserved in an}- degree of perfection within 
the limits of the state. The old Potsdam trilobites are few and frag- 
mentary, and their structural characters are very obscure. In the Trenton 
are found countless multitudes of organic remains literally crowded to- 
gether, and retaining in absolute perfection every structural feature even to 
the minutest detail. Owing to the slight southerly or southwesterly dip 
the strata pass successively below the level of the IMississippi river, and so 
just above Dubuque the Trenton limestone disappears from view." (Calvin.) 



i8 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

The Treutou limestone is quarried in numerous places throughout the 
counties mentioned. Lime of very good quality is made of this stone. 
Certain of the clay shales afford good material for the manufacture of light 
colored brick. 

Oalena Limestone. Overlying the Trenton limestone in northeastern 
Iowa is a heavily bedded brown dolomite which attains a miximum thick- 
ness of between two and three hundred feet in the vicinity of Dubuque. In 
many places it is very coarse, vesicular and unevenly textured. It frequently 
contains some cherty matter. The entire bluffs at Dubuque are formed of 
this limestone. Some sandy material is present in different portions of the 
formation. The partings are usually argillaceous and are more massive and 
important toward the top where the formation gradually passes into the 
overlying shales. As shown by Chan>berlain, the conditions of the deposi- 
tion, in southwestern Wisconsin and vicinity were changed somewhat from 
those which had existed during the Trenton. 

One of the most characteristic features of the Galena limestone is the 
surface fissures which everywhere traverse this formation. Sometimes they 
are mere vertical cracks or horizontal partings of the strata, but often widen 
out into broad cavities. In these openings are found the lead and zinc ores 
of the region. The metallic ores taken from this limestone form perhaps 
one the most important economic characters. It was in the Dubuque region 
that the lead ore of the upper Mississippi valley was first mined in a system- 
atic way. 

The Galena limestone furnishes a considerable quantity of good material 
for heavy masonr}'. The chief quarries are located at Dubuque, though every- 
where throughout its geological range the rocks are adapted and used for 
ordinary building purposes. A superior quality of lime is also manufac- 
tured from this rock. 

Maquoketa Shales. Along the entire western slope of Turkey river 
and below the mouth of that stream on the Mississippi as far as Clinton 
county, there is exposed between the Galena limestone and the Niagara an 
extensive bed of bluish or greenish clay-shale. Disintegrating readily 
under the influence of weathering, these shales allow the massive overlying 
dolomities to form a bold, mural escarpment which extends the entire 
length of the river mentioned. The shales have not been reported north of 
the Iowa boundary. Beginning at a point in Winneshiek county about 
twenty miles from the Minnesota line the ]\[aquoketa shales have a thick- 
ness of over a dozen feet or more. This thickness rapidly increases till at 
its southernmost exposure it attains a vertical measurement of more than one 
hundred and twenty-five feet. At Dubuque a few feet of these shales are 
seen in isolated patches in the summits of the bluffs. For the most part 
these shales form alternating bands of dark and light colored clays with 
occasional thin seams of impure limestone. On the upper Maquoketa where 
the typical locality is situated, the shales are highlj' charged with many 
species of fossils. This formation is of small economic importance, unless 
the clays can be utilized in the manufacture of brick and pottery. 

Upper Silurian. The "Niagara" escarpment which rises in great 
prominence on the western slope of Turkey river and continues southward 
along the Mississippi nearly to Davenport is one of the most important 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 19 

topographical features in northeastern Iowa. The upper Silurian lime- 
stones which form this elevation in Iowa are massive dolomities yellowish 
or brown in color, having a very considerable thickness. Although pre- 
senting great uniformity in texture there are locally large amounts of cherty 
material in bands or irregular nodules. Silicious material is also often 
disseminated in fine particles throughout the rocks, but as a rule it is con- 
centrated into the masses already referred to. 

Chemical analysis of the limestone itself shows that most of the form- 
ation is a very pure magnesiau limerock or dolomite with scarcely any 
foreign material. In different layers the percentage of lime and magnesia 
vary somewhat. In a few cases the latter is almost entirely wanting and the 
beds assume the condition of a normal limestone. 

From its southern exposure where it is thought to attain a thickness of 
more than five hundred feet it rapidlj^ thins out northward until just beyond 
the Iowa-Minnesota line its vertical measurement is very insignificant. At 
the southern end it is heavily bedded. In many places the inclination of 
the beds is very considerable, sometimes as high as sixty degrees. Lying 
directly upon the inclined strata are often seen perfectly horizontal beds. 
At first sight it appears as if there was a marked unconformity. But from a 
careful examination of some of the exposures it seems probable that the 
apparent dip is in some cases due to false-bedding on a large scale. In 
other instances it may be that very decided disturbances have occurred in 
the strata. 

The exact subdivisions of the upper Silurian rocks in Iowa is yet some- 
what undetermined. Hall in 1858 regarded the limestone as made up of an 
upper member which he termed the Le Claire limestone and a lower por- 
tion which was regarded as the same formation to which in New York the 
name IS iagara had been applied. With the exception of White, all geolo- 
gists who have examined the upper Silurian strata in Iowa regard these 
rocks as made up of at least two distinct formations. These subdivisions 
greatly differ not only faunally but in a less marked degree in stratigraph- 
ical and lithological characters. For the reason set forth above, Hall's Le 
Claire appears to be a desirable name for the upper member as now under- 
stood; while Niagara, for the present, will be retained for the lower mem- 
ber. For the latter term some other name will probably have to be substi- 
tuted after a further investigation of these rocks has been made. 

Perhaps no other geological formation in the state furnishes a better 
qualitj'of building stone for general purposes than the upper Silurian strata. 
The great extension of these rocks both in thickness and surface area make 
the supply inexhaustible. They form also the best lime in the world. 
This industry has already begun to assume very considerable proportions in 
this state. 

DEVONIAN. 

The broad belt of Devonian rocks in Iowa is traversed medially its en- 
tire length by the Cedar river, the beds of this age extending from fifteen 
to twenty-five miles on each side of the stream. The formation is made up 
chiefly of massive limestones with magnesian layers. These rocks form 
one of the most important geological horizons in the state. Although 
widely known in a general way their details are as yet little understood, as 



20 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

the various uiinor subdivisions recognized by different writers readilj' show. 
Until much additional information has been obtained it seems desirable to 
recognize now only four sections of the Devonian in Iowa. Some of these 
formations will probablj^ require further breaking up as the rocks become 
better understood. Regarding the equivalents of the Iowa Devonian beds 
with the more eastern formations much has been written, but as yet no 
satisfactory results have been obtained. 

Independence Shales. For a long time the Devonian beds of Iowa 
■were regarded as made up almost entirely of limestones. Hall and others 
foimd clay beds iu the northern part of the state; while still more recently 
Calvin has discovered important shales layers at the base of the Devonian, 
in Buchanan county. The latter beds are made up of dark carbonaceous 
claj's with thin bands of impure concretionary limerock. In places the 
shales are so highly charged with bituminous' matter that considerable ex- 
citement has been caused at different times, on account of their supposed 
nearness to coal deposits. Remains of plants have been found scattered 
through these clays; and they have also accumulated so abundantly locally 
as to form thin veins of true coal. The shales also yield a very consider- 
able number of animal remains. 

Cedar Valley Limestones. As already remarked the greater portion of 
the Devonian in Iowa is made up of limestones, for which it seems desirable 
to revive Owen's old name of Cedar Valley. These limerocks present very 
considerable differences in lithological characters. Although for the most 
part they are ordinary limestones they pass rapidly into argillaceous, 
dolomitic or even bituminous phases. Many of the beds are very massive 
though others are somewhat shaley. Everywhere the rocks of "this age are 
highly charged with fossils of many kinds. 

Some of the most valuable building and ornamental stones occurring 
in Iowa are of Devonian age. Perhaps the best limestones for heavy 
masonry found anywhere in the state are those quarried on the Iowa river 
north of Iowa City. The old state house at the place just mentioned, and 
the basement of the new Capitol building at Des Moines were both con- 
structed of this rock. Unlimited quantities of good building stone are ac- 
cessible in the Devonian throughout the exposed area. Abundant supplies 
for the manufacture of quick-lime are present everywhere but the quality 
of lime is not as good as that furnished by the upper Silurian strata. 

Montpelier Sandstone. This name is applied to certain arenaceous 
beds that are well exposed in Muscatine county, and which have been 
recently differentiated by Calvin from the lower Carboniferous sand-rocks 
found farther to the southward. They are Devonian in age, but were 
formerly regarded as being identical with the Kinderhook sandstone 
exposed in the vicinity of Burlington. The Montpelier sandstone lies 
immediately above the Devonian limestone. The chief exposures of this 
rock are near the mouth of Pine Creek in the county mentioned. It is 
composed of yellowish or brownish material, somewhat friable, but in 
places indurated sufficiently to afford blocks for common masonry. Large 
quantities of this rock have been quarried and used for the rip-rap which 
extends for many miles along the Mississippi above Muscatine as a pro- 
tection for the railroads from the waters of the river. 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 21 

Lime Creek Shales. These beds have long been supposed to form the 
uppermost member of the Devonian in Iowa. The are well exposed ia 
many places in Floyd county especially. Some of the most important out- 
crops being at Rockford and along Lime Creek. At the latter place there 
is exposed a vertical thickness of about one hundred feet of dark argilla- 
ceous shales which are highly fossilferous. They disintegrate rapidly 
under the influences of the weather, forming a plastic clay which will 
probably prove quite valuable for the manufacture of brick. The geo- 
graphic extent of these shales is not known at present; nor is their strati- 
graphic position fully understood. 

CARBONIFEROUS. 

Lower Carboniferous or Mississippian Series. 

At the base of the Carboniferous rocks as represented in Iowa and 
forming one of the most important geological formations exposed within the 
limits of the state is the great series of limestones which have commonly 
been termed the " Subcarboniferous." These rocks in Iowa form a sinuous 
belt twenty-five to forty miles in width midwaj' between the Cedar and 
Des Moines rivers. The zone mentioned thus extends from the southeastern 
corner of the state northwestward as far as the Minnesota line. 

In southeastern Iowa the lower Carboniferous rocks form percipitous 
bluffs along the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers and their tributaries. 
The Mississippian series as represented in the continental interior is made 
up of four distinct formations. Only three of these however are exposed in 
Iowa. They are the Kiuderhook, Augusta and St. Louis formations. 

Kinderhook Beds. In the southeastern part of the state the Kinder- 
hook beds are largely hard clay-shales with occasional bands of limestone. 
At Burlington these shales attain a thickness of over two hundred feet, not 
ail of which, however, are exposed above the water level of the Mississippi 
river. 

Lithologically this formation as exposed at Burlington is a massive 
claj'-shale, often highly calcareous and in the upper part contain silicious 
matter in the form of tine j^ellow sand which occasionally assumes the 
character of a soft sandstone. Below the sandy portion these shales have 
long been supposed to be destitute of fossils, but recent exposures have 
disclosed faunas of a most interesting and instructive character. A short 
distance below Burlington near the mouth of the Skunk river these shales 
disappear below the water-level. At Keokuk, as has been shown hy recent 
borings, they are in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty feet below 
the water-level in the Mississippi. At Burlington immediately beneath the 
Burlington limestone are several beds a few feet in thickness of limestone 
and oolite. These are separated by clay shales. The exact relation of these 
beds to the rocks farther southward in Missouri is not known at present. 
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the Mississippi river the shales in 
question are not exposed at the surface in Iowa; but they apparently have a 
considerable geographical extent and are thought to be recognizable in a 
number of deep well sections in different portions of the southeastern part 
of the state. 

A hundred miles northwest of Burlington, in Tama and Marshall 



22 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

counties, rocks which have been referred to the Kinderhook are well exposed 
along the Iowa river and some of its tributaries. The exact correlation of 
these beds with those of southeastern Iowa has not as yet been fully made 
out. As shown in the LeGraud quarries the formation is chiefly a rather 
soft, somewhat irregularly bedded, buff limestone, probably containing a 
considerable percentage of magnesia. It seems from an examination of 
the fossils contained in the Le Grand beds that a part of them at least 
correspond to the limestone at Burlington. 

In southeastern Iowa no good quarry rocks have been found in the 
Kinderhook formation. Occasionally the oolitic beds are used, but thej^ 
withstand weathering only a short time. The clay-shales at Burlington 
have recently been brough into prominence in the manufacture of paving 
brick. 

Toward the northern limit in Iowa the Kinderhook assumes a cal- 
cerous facies. It is extensively quarried at numerous places in Humboldt, 
Hardin, Grundy, Tama and Marshall counties. In the latter localities the 
rock is a fine-grained limestone and forms a very durable building stone. 
It has been used largely for bridge piers and architectural purposes. 
Portions of it contain ferric-oxide in narrow veinings. It takes a fairly 
good polish and is extensively used for interior work in place of ordinary 
marble. The lower part of the Le Grand section is made up of ver}' com- 
pact oolitic rock which withstands very well all weathering influences, as is 
shown in the court house at Marshalltown which is constructed almost 
entirely of this stone. 

August A Limesto'iie. The two formations commonly known as the 
Burlington and Keokuk limestones have recently been found to form 
properly but a single sequence of rocks. The Burlington and the Keokuk 
groups are called after the cities of the same name in southeastern Iowa. At 
these localities the rocks have been regarded as typical developments. A care- 
ful examination of the fossils contained and of the relations of the different 
beds indicate that the limestones under consideration W'hich were formerly 
considered as two distinct formations should be included under a single 
term. The lower portion of the formation commonly known as the Burling- 
ton limestone is a coarse-grained, encrinital rock, usually white and very 
pure in certain layers. It often contains considerable ferric-oxide and cou- 
sequentlj' a reddish hue is imparted to it upon exposure. The lithological 
characters of this rock are remarkably constant over broad areas. There 
are also in certain places silicious beds, the lowermost of which have thick- 
ness of twenty-five feet or more. They are made up largely of nodular 
masses and irregular bands of chert with some calcareous matter. There 
are other layers of flint of equal if not greater importance in the Augusta 
beds than those just mentioned. The so-called Keokuk limestones are 
essentially the same as the Burlington rocks. They are usually more com- 
pact, less fossiliferous and have a bluish cast instead of the pure white 
color. The upper portion of the formation also contains beds of clay-shales. 

The Augusta Limestones are quarried rather extensively; the chief 
localities being at Columbus .Junction, Burlington and vicinity. Ft. Madison, 
Keokuk, Bonaparte, and Bentonsport. The rocks at Burlington are 
used for ordinary masonry; some of the layers, the more massive ones, 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 23 

fonriing fairly good material for building. Large quantities of good lime 
could be manufactured, but at the present tim^ only a few small kilns are 
in operation. Farther southward in Missouri, the Burlington limestone is 
quarried largely for the manufacture of lime as well as for ordinary 
masonry. The lower layers at Keokuk have been used for bridge work and 
all kinds of common masonry. A good quality of lime is burned at 
various points in the vicinities of the places just mentioned. The sandy 
magnesian layers at the top of the Keokuk limestone have been extensively 
used for building and a number of churches and other structures are com- 
posed of this material. Along the Des Moines river the rocks of this form- 
ation were formerly used in the construction of dams at the time when 
slack-water navigation was proposed for the Des Moines river. 

St. Louis Limestone. The rocks of this stage have commonly passed 
under the name of Concretionary limestone. But they are the same as 
those developed at the mouth of the Missouri river which Shumard called 
after the city of St. Louis. The northern limit of these rocks is one hun- 
dred miles beyond any known exposure of Augusta rocks. From this 
northern border nearlj^ to the mouth of the Missouri river the limestone is 
comparatively thin; but southward from the latter point it thickens rapidly 
until it attains a measurement of more than two hundred feet. Everywhere 
over the northern area of the St. Louis, characteristic brecciated rocks are seen. 
In Iowa this formation has probably a surface exposure much greater than 
any other member of the Lower Carboniferous. It is usually a fine-grained, 
compact, bluish rock breaking with conchoidal fracture. The upper por- 
tion of the formation is often covered by a white, highly fossiliferous marl. 

The St. Louis limestone is made up largely of pure calcium carbonate. 
Quick-lime is manufactured at numerous places everywhere throughout 
the range of the formation. At Tracey, and elsewhere in Marion, Wapello 
and Van Buren counties certain of the St. Louis rocks furnish excellent 
material for heavy constructional purposes, bridge piers and foundations 

COAL MEASURES. 

From an ■economic standpoint the mo.=it important geological formation 
in the state is that yielding coal. The strata of Iowa furnishing this valu- 
able product form the northernmost extension of the great interior coal 
field of the American continent. The beds occupy the southern third of 
the state and are distributed more or less extensively through one-half of 
the entire number of counties. The area covered by the Carboniferous 
strata is therefore not far from twenty thousand square miles. It must not 
be inferred, however, that the coal is equally distributed over all this dis- 
trict, for such is not the case. The broad belt running southeast and north- 
west and traversed its entire length by the Des Moines river from Fort Dodge 
to Keokuk has heretofore been found to be much more productive of coal 
than other parts of the region. Lately in many places outside of the belt 
named, coal has been discovered in abundance, often where its presence 
was unsuspected before. 

Taken as a whole there are two kinds of beds, sharply contrasted, which 
go to make up the Coal Measures of the state. The first is marked by a 
great predominance of clay shales and sandstones, often to the total ex- 
clusion of the limestone. The individual beds have usually a very limited 



24 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

extent and replace one another in rapid succession. On the otlier hand, 
the second class of sediments above mentioned is made up chiefly of cal- 
careous shales with heavy beds of limestone. The laj^ers are evenly bedded 
and extend over very considerable areas. 

As the conditions of deposition were evidently those of a slowly sink- 
ing shore the marginal deposits as a whole practically underlie the open 
sea formations, the former being regarded as the "Lower" Coal Measures 
and the latter as the "Upper" Coal Measures. At the same time it must be 
remembered that this does not necessarily imply that the "Lower" meas- 
ures are to be considered much older than the "Upper;" but rather that 
along the great and successive planes of sedimentation different beds of the 
upper and lower divisions were laid down contemporaneously. The limits 
of the two formations in Iowa thus assume somewhat different lines from 
those that have commonly been recognized. 

It has been proposed, therefore, to divide the Coal Measures, or L^pper 
Carboniferous, into: 

(2) The "Upper" Coal Measures, or Missouri Stage. 

(1) The "Lower" Coal Measures, or Des Moines Stage. 

The Des Moines formation represents the Lower Coal Measures or mar- 
ginal deposits of the upper Carboniferous. It takes its name from the Des 
Moines river which flows for more than two hundred miles directly through 
the beds of this terrane. It extends into Missouri forming the northern 
and western boundaries of the Ozark mountains and extends still farther 
southward into Kansas and Indian Territory. 

The Missouri formation corresponds essentially to the upper Coal 
Measures, representing the more strictly marine deposits. It is tlie form- 
ation typically developed in the northwestern part of oMissouri. The Mis- 
souri river also winds its way for more than four hundred miles through 
the beds of this stage, exposing numerous fine sections on both sides of the 
stream throughout the entire distance. 

In the order of their abundance the rocks of the Coal Measures are 
clay-shales, sandstones, limestones and coals. The secondary part that the 
calcareous beds play in the Coal Measures of the state, especially in the 
lower division, contrasts this formation with the other paleozoic rocks. 
Below, the Coal Measures rest on a great basement of massive limestones- 
with but few clayey or sandy beds of separation. Not less striking is the 
relative thinness, as a rule, of the individual layers which replace one 
another upwards and laterally in rapid succession. If tlie upper and lower 
divisions of the Coal Measures in Iowa were to be contrasted upon litho- 
logical characters alone it would be found that the former is prevail- 
ingly lime bearing; the latter largely clayey. 

Little need be said here concerning the quality of the coals of the 
state. They are all of the bituminous variety and are fullj^ described in 
another place. The carbonaceous seams vary from a few inches to seven or 
eight or even ten feet in thickness; the average of the veins at present 
worked is between four and five feet. These beds are deposited not in 
two or three continuous layers over the entire area, as has been commonly 
supposed, but in more or less lenticular masses varying from a few feet to 
several miles in extent. 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 25- 

The stratigrapliical importance of the coal seams is not so great as has 
been generally supposed, since the bituminous beds are, with very few 
exceptions rather limited. Only a single case is at present known in which 
the geographic extent of a coal stratum is more than a few miles, and for 
a part of this distance the coal is but two or three feet in thickness.. 
On the other hand, the amount of coal in the state, is probably very much 
greater than has been commonly supposed. 

For reasons which need not be stated in detail here, considerable 
difficulty has been encountered in working out the structural features of the 
Coal Measures of Iowa. The general inclination of the beds is to the south- 
westward. Careful estimates indicate that the greatest thickness of the 
Lower Coal Measures in the state is probably in the neighborhood of four 
hundred feet; and that the maximum vertical measurement of the upper 
division is thrice that figure. Erosion has removed much of the coal bear- 
ing strata of this district and the original thickness of these rocks is not now 
represented at any one place. 

The basal coal seams of the Lower Coal Measures of Iowa appear to be 
much more extensive than those toward the top, where they are only a few 
inches in vertical measurement and perhaps a ' hundred yards in 
extent. The coal may therefore be regarded as disposed in numerous 
basins of greater or less area, thickened centrally, but gradually becoming 
attenuated toward the margins. These are arranged in various horizons 
interlocking with one another, but separated by varying thicknesses of sand- 
stone and shale. Thus at any one point a dozen or more seams may be 
passed through in sinking a shaft, several perhaps being workable. 

The disposition of the coal in numerous limited lenticular basins instead 
of a few layers extending oyer broad areas is of the utmost importance 
from a purely economical standpoint. In all mining operations and in all 
prospecting it is very essential that this fact be kept constantly in mind. 
With methods of boring more modern than those commonly in vogue 
throughout the western states there is every reason to believe that in the 
Lower Coal Measures especially the large majority of good coal seams 
twelve inches in thickness and over encountered in prospecting may be 
traced readily and easily to localities where they are thick enough for 
profitable working. 

In Iowa the restrictions upon the distribution of the individual seams 
are not numerous as compared with other regions. Yet there are disturbances 
of various kinds which break the continuity of the coal strata, locally 
interfering slightly with mining operations. They are referable to the 
three general agencies of deposition, erosion and dislocation. 

From careful estimates made from reliable sources the production of 
coal for the past year amounted to more than 5,340,000 tons, valued at $7,- 
750,000. By comparisons it will be seen that Iowa as a coal producer ranks 
first among the states west of the Mississippi river and fifth among the 
states of the Union. 

Throughout all of the Coal Measures in Iowa occur unlimited quantities- 
of clay of excellent quality for the manufacture of paving, pressed, fire and 
otiier kinds of brick. An excellent quality of potter's clay and material 
for tiling, terra-cotta, and in fact nearly all other kinds of clay products, are 
plentiful. 



26 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

CRETACEOUS. 

Although formerly known to be exposed only over a small area near 
■Sioux City, the Cretaceous rocks of Iowa have recently been found to 
occupy a very considerable district in the northwestern portion of the state. 
On account of a thick mantle of drift over all this portion of the state there 
is considerable difficulty in locating the exact boundary along the eastern 
margin of the deposits. From numerous borings, however, the Cretaceous 
beds have been recognized over more than a dozen counties, showing that 
the approximate eastern boundary is a somewhat sinuous line running 
through a point midway between Sioux City and Council Bluffs nearly to 
Fort Dodge and thence bending northward. Beyond the limits of this line 
numerous outliers have been recognized, some appearing more than fifty 
miles beyond the boundary mentioned. 

There are four formations in Iowa which are probably referable to the 
Cretaceous, though the exact stratigraphical equivalents of two of these, the 
Fort Dodge gypsum deposits and the Nishuabotna sandstone are at present 
somewhat doubtful. 

Nishnabotna Sandstone. Although the beds under consideration have 
usually been referred to the Cretaceous they have never been directly 
"traced to the outcrops of the Woodbury shales. The geographical distance 
between the nearest exposures of the two formations as at present known 
is very considerable. If the Nishnabotna is Cretaceous it may be the 
equivalent either of the Woodbury shales or of the Niobrara chalk; which 
one it is cannot now be stated. In regard to the gypsum beds their form- 
ation indicates a saline lake deposit such as might be left by a retreating 
-ocean. This fact taken in connection with the probable great eastern ex- 
tension of the Niobrara suggests that the Fort Dodge beds were formed dur- 
ing the retreat of tfie Niobrara waters through Iowa. At the present time 
it seems best not to attempt a specific correlation of the gypsum deposits, nor 
of the Nishnabotna sandstone, but merely to regard them as Cretaceous in age. 
The sandstones and loose sands that have been called Nishnabotna are to be 
regarded as shore deposits; along with numerous other beds of similar char- 
acter which occasionally are found as outliers through central and northei'u 
Iowa. 

The Nishnabotna as reported by White has a thickness of fift}- to 
seventy-five feet, and is seen exposed in the southeastern part of Guthrie 
countj^ southern Montgomery county, and elsewhere in the western part of 
central Iowa. 

Quarries have been opened in these rocks at Lewis, in Cass county. In 
its lithological characters the formation is a coarse-grained, ferruginous 
sandstone, dark brown in color and usually quite friable. Occasionally 
thin clay seams are intercalated. 

Fort Dodge Beds. This name is applied to the gypsum deposits and 
•certain associated beds which are well exposed in the neighborhood of Fort 
Dodge. The gypsum attains a vertical measurement of from two to thirty 
feet, its average thickness being perhaps about fifteen to sixteen feet. It 
occupies an area, in the central part of Webster county, of about twenty-five 
square miles. It is traversed north and south its entire length by the Des 
Moines river and is cut through by many of this stream's smaller tributaries 



A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGY OF IOWA. 27 

Probably more than one-half of the entire deposit has been removed 
through erosion by the chief water course. The most extensive exposures 
now open are about six miles below Fort Dodge. 

To some extent the massive gypsum of Fort Dodge has been cjuarried 
for building purposes. A number of buildings and foundations have been 
■constructed of this material. It has also been used quite extensively for 
heavy masonry. Its most important use, however, is its manufacture into 
stucco and land-plaster. During the past year more than fifty thousand 
tons of these materials were prepared in the vicinity of Fort Dodge. 

Woodbury SJutles. As already intimated, the typical outcrops of this 
formation are to be seen in Woodbury county along the Big Sioux river. 
The formation corresponds essentially with the Dakota and Fort Benton 
groups of Hayden. The beds represent shore deposits and it seems desir- 
able to retain the name in preference to the two proposed by Hayden. 
"Woodbury" as defined by White expresses more accurately than any other 
name yet proposed the lithological features of the rocks as represented in 
Iowa. 

The Woodbury shales are made up in certain places largely of the 
sandstone, which sometimes form hard concretionary masses not unlike 
quartzite. In some localities these masses are so near together that they 
may be quarried to advantage for building stone. The most important of 
these openings is in the vicinity of Sioux Cit}' and is now known as the 
Rees' Granite quarry. The rock has apparently all the qualities of the 
regular crystalline massive rocks. The greater portion of the Woodbury 
shales is argillaceous and afford inexhaustible quantities of good clay for 
the manufacture of pottery, fire and paving brick. 

Niohrara Chalk. These beds in their chalky facies have been ob- 
served in Iowa in the vicinity of the Big Sioux river. They are probably 
represented farther eastward by more strictly shore deposits. They consist 
of tine soft calcareous layers appearing not unlike clay at first glance. 
These chalky layers in connection with the clays form excellent material 
for the manufacture of Portland cement. This industry has already begun 
under favorable circumstances on the Missouri above Sioux City. 

PLEISTOCENE, OR SURFACE DEPOSITS. 

Over all Iowa, covering the indurated rocks to a depth of from a few 
inches to two or three hundred feet, is a mantle of loose incoherent material. 
This material is chiefl}' of three kinds; known as the drift, loess, and 
alluvium. The latter may be regarded as the deposits of the modern rivers, 
the two former as glacial debris. 

Alluvium. Little need be said here in regard to the alluviul deposits. 
They are the fine sediments laid down in the river vallej's making up what 
is commonly known as the flood plain. Man}' of the river terraces are also 
alluvial. These materials will be treated at length in another place in con- 
nection with an account of the soils of the state. 

Drift. To the heterogeneous mixture of clay, sand, gravel and 
boulders which is seen everywhere throughout the state there has been applied 
the name of drift. Everwhere the proportions of these drift constitutents 
vary. It changes rapidh' from place to place passing from one kind into 
another. The clays form by far the largest portion of the mixture and is 



28 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

usually mingled with more or less fine sand. In color it has a characteristic 
brown or buif tint. When excavated the surface exposed quickly breaks up 
into. small cubic or angular fragments commonly known as joint-clay. The 
sand and gravel often form considerable beds yet they are usually quite 
limited in extent. The boulders are chiefly of crystalline rocks of northern 
origin. They represent a great variety of eruptive and metaniorphic types.. 

The drift is largely of glacial origin. It has been shown in Iowa to be 
made up of two sheets. The lowest or earliest drift forms a part 
of the great drift mantle extending over northern United States. In the 
Mississippi valley it has its southern boundary along the line of the Ohio- 
and Missouri rivers. The upper till belongs to a later glacial epoch and is 
included within the area bounded by what is known as the moraine of the 
Des ]\Ioiues lobe of the second great ice invasion. This forms a narrow tri- 
angle in Iowa with its apex reaching to the city of Des Moiues. 

Loess. This deposit is well displayed along the Missouri and! 
Mississippi rivers and at numerous places throughout the interior of lowa.. 
It is a fine homogeneous clay-like material which seldom shows any tendencj- 
toward stratification. It is friable enough to be impressed with the finger- 
but resists weathering in a remarkable way. 

The surface deposits of the state belong chiefly to the Quaternary age 
of geology. Over a great part of Iowa the soils are formed directly through 
these deposits. The purer clays afford good material for the manufacture 
of brick; while certain portions afford sand which can be utilized in glass 
making. 

CLIHATOLOGY OF IOWA. 



By John R. Sage, Director Iowa Weather and Crop Service. 



The prime factors of agricultural prosperity are a fertile soil and sx 
favorable climate, the latter being the more important. There are in this 
country millions of acres of soil, which, though abundantly supplied with 
the elements of fertility are comparatively worthless, because of unfavor- 
able climatic conditions. Nothing can fully compensate for the lack of 
rainfall in the growing season, for only a small portion of any arid region 
can be made productive by irrigation. 

The claim may be made in behalf of Iowa that in respect to these two 
essentials, soil and climate, it stands foremost among the agricultural states- 
of the Union. There is no question as to the exceeding richness and dejtth 
of its soil, for it has maintained a large measure of its original fertility 
under a system of continual cropping which would have reduced to barren- 
ness the thinner soils of less favored sections. And its climate has served 
as a fit complement of its soil in the production of those vast crops which 
have figured so conspicuously in the agricultural statistics o^ the country. 

The establishment of the National and State weather bureaus has in- 
cited public interest in questions relating to the climate of the different 
sections of our greatly diversified country. And the census reports have 
revealed the fact that the settlement of the country and increase of popula- 



CLIMATOLOGY OF IOWA. 29 

tion bear a verj- definite ratio to the average yearly precipitation, mean 
■temperature and tlie general climatic conditions affecting crop production 
and the public health. People who are about to emigrate, to better their 
condition in life, are largely influenced in their choice of a new home by 
such facts as they are able to obtain relative to climate. With the larger 
number this is very properly a consideration of chief importance. 

WEATHER KErORTS. 

Fortunately we have at hand ample meteorological records to illustrate 
the constants of temperature, humidity, wind movement and the general 
characteristics of the climate of Iowa. Weather observations were begun at 
the military posts in the territory as early as the year 1820, and records were 
made with some degree of regularity under military auspices until 1849, 
when the Smithsonian Institution, aided by the general government, took up 
the work of systematic observation, establishing stations wherever intelligent 
observers could be secured. Since 1871 this work has been done under the 
auspices of the National and State weather services. There is, there'fore, no 
lack of material, in the form of official records, from which we may obtain 
a knowledge of the more important features of Iowa's climate. A careful 
stud}' of the voluminous data will convince any one interested in the subject 
that for all-the-year-round residence, for the promotion of health, physical 
vigor and agricultural prosperity there is no more favorable climate in 
America than in this favored section of the great Mississippi valley. 

GENERAL CIJMATIC FEATURES. 

Situated near the geographical center of the United States, the climate 
is strictly continental. This term being used in contradistinction to marine 
climate implies that it has winters of considerable severity, and summers of 
unusual warmth, with large seasonal and daily temperature ranges, a 
generally dry and salubrious atmosphere, small percentage of cloudiness 
and large percentage of sunshine. The altitude of the State ranges from -144 
feet above sea-level at the confluence the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers, 
to 1,650 feet at a point near Spirit Lake; and as there are no mountain 
ranges nor extensive forests the physical conditions give to the State a 
homogeneous climate, with only such variations of temperature, rainfall and 
other meteorological elements as result from latitude and elevation. 

Despite its remoteness from the sea its climatic characteristics are re- 
markably constant; in fact, no section of the country enjoys a greater de- 
gree of uniformit}' of the conditions favorable to the production of the 
staple crops. In attestation of this it may be stated that, Avhile there have 
been seasons of variable productiveness, there has never been a total failure 
of the principal crops in this State since the virgin soil was first broken by 
the plow-shares of the white settlers. 

The climate of this section is affected by the general topography of the 
continent, the great mountain ranges, and the oceanic and atmospheric cur- 
rents, all of which must be duly considered in a thorough study of the 
subject. A glance at the map of the continent will show a great central 
depression extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic sea, formed by 
the vast mountain ranges at the v.-est and the lesser uplift skirting the 
Atlantic coast. This interior vallev is much wider and somewhat lower at 



30 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

the north than at the south, and two-thirds of the drainage of the continent 
flows northward. The upper Mississippi valley, of Avhich Iowa is a part^ 
forms the water-shed about midway between the Gulf and Hudson Bay. It 
has been stated that in time of high water a canoe can be rowed from the 
Mississippi up the Minnesota to its source in Big Stone Lake, and thence 
across a slough to Traverse Lake, the source of the Ked River of the North. 
The altitude at this point where the waters of the Gulf and the Arctic 
ocean are in touch is less than one thousand feet above sea level. 

Through this vast channel in ancient geologic periods the glaciers 
pushed their way, forming the drift deposits, and laying the foundation of 
soil of the most productive empire on the surface of the globe. And now^ 
in these latter years, this mid-continent depression gives free passage to 
the boreal breezes from the north and the humid winds from the south,, 
which here meet and commingle to refresh the earth with copious showers 
in the season when they are most needed. It is easy to see what an impor- 
tant pa4't is borne in the climate of the interior by the great physical feature 
herein described. If the mountain ranges crossed the continent east and 
west, instead of north and south, this central valley would be a veritable 
desert, instead of the garden and granary of the w^estern hemisphere. The 
cool waves from the north and the vapor-laden winds from the south are 
equally important factors in making this a habitable, productive and pros- 
perous region. 

PRECIPITATION. 

The moisture pi-ecipitated over Iowa and contiguous portions of the 
Mississippi and Missouri valle^ys comes almost entirely, either directly or 
indirectly, from the Gulf of Mexico. The warm southerly winds, heavily 
laden with humidity from that source, drawn hither by the passage of low 
area storms from the west, deposit a portion of their moisture in advance 
of the storm centers as they move toward the Atlantic. Following in the 
rear of these depressions the cold and dry air from the northward condenses 
the remaining moisture in the rear quadrants of departing storms. These 
alternating currents flowing northward and southward through the valley, 
with their sharp contrasts of temperature, brought thus into action by the 
passage of low areas across the continent, form the warp and woof of the 
fabric of the weather of this section. And as the Gulf, which is the great 
fountain of humidity whence our annual supply of moisture is drawn, is 
permanent, and the atmospheric waves of high or low pressure are con- 
stantly passing, there is no danger that this region will become arid and 
unproductive. The people may safely bank upon the permanence of their 
climate and an ample supply of moisture. 

Various early historic publications placed the average yearly precipi- 
tation of Iowa at forty-four to forty-seven inches. These figures are too 
high, being obtained from insuflicient data. The correct mean obtained 
from all available records, covering a considerable number of years in all 
sections of the state is about thirty-five inches. 

Blodgefs rain chart for the continent shows the average annual pre- 
cipitation in the eastern and southeastern counties to be forty-two inches; 
through the central belt from southwest to northeast it is thirty, and in the 
extreme northwestern section twenty-five inches. In the United States 



CLIMATOLOGY OF IOWA. 3F 

Army Meteorological Kegister, published iu 185o, Mr. Blodgot, referring to 
the precipitation in the Mississippi Valley, says : 

"There is an exceptional district in eastern Iowa having a great rain- 
fall, which requires some explanation, especially in its contrast with the- 
small quantities at Lake ^lichigan. The exception is due apparently to the 
elevation of central Missouri in comparison with lower Iowa, causing an 
atmospheric eddy similar to that of the lower Mississippi." 

A careful study of meteorological data covering the period since the 
above was published does not show so wide a difference between the average 
annual precipitation of the eastern, central and western districts of the 
State. For example, the average at Keokuk, from 1872 to 1892, is 35.87 
inches; at Muscatine, 1845 to 1892, 39.21 inches; at Davenport, 1872 to 1892,, 
34.70 inches; at Dubuque, 1874 to 1892, 37.00 inches; at i\IcGregor, 16 years 
record, 34.97 inches. These stations are all iu the eastern part of the State. 
and it will be seen the average is below the figures of Blodget's rain chart. 
In the central and western sections of the State, the following averages are 
obtained: Des Moines, 35.06 inches; Sioux City, 25.58 inches; Council 
Bluffs, 33.36 inches; Logan, 35.50 inches; Sac City, 30.82 inches; Glenwood, 
31.70 inches. These figures indicate that there is a more equable distribu- 
tion of rainfall than the earlier charts aud tables showed. And it may be 
stated further that in the western half of the State the precipitation in the 
winter mouths is considerably less than in the eastern half, while the rain- 
fall iu the summer mouths is greater in the western than iu the eastern 
districts. 

COMPARISON WITH E.\STERN STATES. 

The annual precipitation in Iowa is equal to the averages in the- 
northern, central and western portions of New York, northern Vermont and 
New Hampshire, northwestern counties of Pennsylvania, northern Ohio and 
the larger part of jMichigau. In fact it compares favorably with all the- 
Atlantic and Middle States on the same latitude, except points along or near 
the sea coast, or in the mountainous districts. The folloAving yearly 
averages are from the United States Weather Bureau tables of recent date : 

STATION'S. INCHES. STATIONS. INCHES. 

Charlotte, Vt 33.79 Fort Niagara, X. Y 25.53 

Hanover, N. H 30.94 Buffalo, N. Y 38.55 

Portland, Me 41.55 Pittsburgh, Pa 38.29' 

Fitchburg, Mass 38.07 Cleveland, Ohio 37.90 

Woodstock, Vi 37.90 Toledo, Ohio 32.94 

Albany, N. Y 38.88 Detroit, Mich 33.83, 

Cooperstown, N. Y 35. (iO Alpena, Mich 30.00 

Madison Barracks, X. Y 27.07 Escanaba, Mich 33.93 

Rochester, X. Y 35.52 Marquette, Mich 33.93 

Ithaca, N. Y 31.73 Lansing, Midi 33.75 

Comparison of these yearly averages with the accompanying tables of 
annual precipitation at a large number of Iowa stations will show that the 
eastern states on this parallel have no advantage over Iowa in respect to the 
yearly supply of moisture. 

And it will be seen that these figures do not sustain the theory that the 
annual precipitation of a locality is affected by contiguity to the lakes or 
extensive forests. In fact, local evaporation, whether from marshes, lakes. 
OT forests does not materially affect the rainfall of the interior of the con- 



j2 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

tinent. The following from the United States Army Meteorological Regis- 
ter is to the point : 

" The lake district presents a somewhat auomalons result, in compari- 
son Math the interior portions, as it has less rainfall than the valley of the 
Mississippi in their latitudes. The effect of these bodies of water is clearly 
to diminish the quantity of rain for the whole period of the warm season. 
This deliciency appears very clearly in the mean for the spring, and it is 
■conclusive proof that local evaporation adds little or none to the quantity of 
rain of these interior districts. The valley of the Mississippi, and its exten- 
sion in the Ohio valley, strikingly contrast with the rainfall in the lake 
districts. 

DISTRIBUTION BY SEASONS. 

A peciiliar feature of the climate of the trans-Mississippi region is that 
it has its minimum of precipitation in the winter, and its maximum in the 
spring and summer, or in the crop growing season. This characteristic of 
the climate is of great economic importance, since it insures an abundance 
of food products even in years of the greatest variability in the distribution 
of moisture. In this respect Iowa has a most decided advantage over the 
eastern states which have a much heavier annual rainfall, for in this State 
two-thirds of the yearly moisture comes in the six crop growing mouths, 
when it is most needed. Professor Blodget, in his American Climatology, 
refers to this feature as follows : 

" For the whole period of the warm months, in which May and Sep- 
tember should be included, the quantity of rain distributed over the Mis- 
sissippi valley is comparatively very great, and there is no great area so far 
in the interior which presents a similar result. The quantities are abso- 
lutely as well as relatively large, and they considerably exceed those of the 
plains of the Atlantic coast in the same latitude. The line of fifteen inches 
for the three (summer) months goes only to 38 of latitude on the 
Atlantic coast, j^et it rises nearly to 44 in the ISIississippi valley, and 
occupies a very wide area below the fortieth parallel. The measure of 
twelve inches is equally more extensive in the interior, though neither of 
these stretches upon the plains beyond 100 west longitude." 

The fact here stated is undoubtedly due to the prevalence during the 
summer months of southerly winds laden with vapor from the Gulf, the 
great thermal fountain whence is drawn the bulk of the precipitation of 
the interior valleys. The following table gives, as a basis of comparison, 
the average rainfall for the four critical months of the year, viz: May, 
June, Jul}' and August, at a number of stations in the Atlantic states and 
in Iowa : 



EASTERN INCHFS ^^"'"''^ 

STATIONS. iiivnr,s. STATIONS. 



INCHES. 



Albany, :X. Y 15.24 Des Moines 17.20 

Rochester, N. Y 12.47 Council Bluffs 19.10 

Buffalo, N. Y 13.28 Logan 19.50 

Oswego, N. Y 11.66 Dubuque 17.35 

Cleveland, Ohio 14.68 Muscatine 18.50 

Atlantic City, ^'. Y 13.88 Keokuli 16.30 

It should be noted that these four months make the corn, as also the 
other staple crops of this region, excepting hay, and a glance at the figures 



CLIMATOLOGY OF IOWA. 33 

of tlie above table will show the great advantage enjoyed b}' the ]\Iississippi 
valley in the distribution of summer rainfall. The average rainfall of Iowa 
for the four mouths named is as follows : ]\Iay 4.15 inches; June 4.95; 
July 4.30; August JJ.OO. Total for the four months 17.00 inches. 

But let us take the si.x crop months, adding April and September to 
the four above named, and we have a total average rainfall of 28.25 inches, 
or an average of 3.87 inches per month. This amount of moisture in the 
soil, and a mean summer temperature of 71 degrees, give a hot-house 
development to the staple crops of this region. 

Dr. Gustavus Ilinrichs, w'ho originated the Iowa AVeather Service and 
served over twelve years as its director, said in his last annual report : 
"While low^a has a continental climate in regard to temperature, it enjoys 
the fertilizing advantages of a high and well distributed rainfall usually 
restricted to the coasts only. In fact there is no region in the interior of 
any continent that has a climate like that of Iowa, in which the extremes 
of temperature are coupled with an abundance of fertilizing moisture. 
Right close to the south, the immense boiler of the Gulf is furnishing 
vapor ; the heated continental expanse north causes the southerly current 
prevailing throughout the summer. These southerly winds carry the mois- 
ture of the Gulf all over the Mississippi valley, where it descends normally 
in great abundance, making it the best watered valley in the world." 

In Hall's Geology of Iowa the following statement occurs in the open- 
ing chapiter; " The most marked feature iif the distribution of moisture 
precipitated in the form of rain and snow through the year is a relative 
increase in the c^uantity falling in the spring and summer, and a very 
considerable dimunition in winter; which condition becomes more and more 
marked as we advance westward from the Mississippi. The dimunition in 
the quantity of snow, as compared with the eastern States on the same 
parallel, is one of the features of the climate which is practically most felt 
by settlers in that region." 

The climatic feature has a favorable effect upon the health and comfort 
of the inhabitants of this region, the relatively dry atmosphere enabling 
them to easily withstand the low temperature prevalent in the winter 
months. Those who have experienced the chilling atmosphere and "eternal 
drizzle" of the so-called milder climates of the sea coast region can 
appreciate the difference. 

CROPS IN DROUGHTY SEASONS. 

"While a high average of summer rainfall has been recorded for the 
past fifty years, this State like all other sections of the country is subject to 
fluctuations or variability in the seasonal precipitation, and occasional 
drouglity seasons have been experienced. But as a compensation there is a 
peculiar (juality of the Iowa soil which enables it to withstand droughts and 
produce abundantly with an average summer rainfall that would be totally 
insufficient in eastern and southern states. This fact was noted by Prof. T. 
S. Parvin some years ago, who in a contribution to the American Journal of 
Science, Vol. XXIII, said: 

" In 1854 occurred the great drought in this and the western States 
generally; but owing to the porous nature of our soil the crops with us 
turned out much better than in the States east of the Mississippi." 



34 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

" 1856. This season was veiy dry; the total quantity of rain in the 
summei' months was only 6.78 inches, or 10.20 below the summer mean. 
The crops were, notwithstanding, more than an average J'ield, both of corn 
and small grain; and the three or four dry seasons we have had abundantly 
prove that the soil and climate of Iowa are unsurpassed on the continent for 
farming purposes." 

These facts so well stated bj- Prof. Parvin have been remarked in the 
occasional dry seasons that have occurred since'the above was written, justify- 
ing the assertion that there has never been any very near approach to 
absolute failure of crops in Iowa since its settlement by civilized man. And 
the years of severe drought in tlie summer months have been very few in 
comparison to the number suffered in some of tiie States which have a larger 
average annual rainfall. 

The severest drought in recent years, affecting the lower part of the 
State, occurred in the mid-summer of 1890. The average amount of rainfall 
in July was only 1.98 inches, and in August, 3.41 inches. And the severity 
of the drought was greatly increased by very high winds during the periods 
of high temperature. And yet in that year of untoward conditions, Iowa 
produced 239,000,000 bushels of corn, 71,368,000 bushels of oats, 2,979,081 
bushels of flax, 8,332,000 bushels of potatoes, 4,991,000 tons of hay, and over 
$50,000,000 worth of poultry products. There is no danger of a famine in a 
countr}', which, in the worst seasons, can produce such vast amounts of food 
stuffs. 

The same porous nature of the soil which causes it to withstand severe 
droughts, also gives it the requisite quality to take up a considerable surplus 
of rainfall, making it fairly productive in abnormally wet seasons. These 
extremes, however, are exceptional, by far the greater number of years being 
normal and abundantly productive. The State is favorably situated in the 
heart of the valley, escaping frequent liability to the extremes of wet and 
dry to which other sections are subject. 

Prof. W. I. Chamberlain, of Ohio, who served about five years as 
president of the Iowa Agricultural College, gave the following unbiased 
testimony concerning the soil and climate of this state: 

" One thing has surprised me each spring and summer, viz: that the 
spring is considerably earlier here than it is a hundred miles further south 
in Ohio, and the summer is much hotter and surer to mature the corn crop 
before frost. Thq proportion of clear sky and hot days and nights is far 
greater, and the power of the sun's rays upon the black soil is immense. I 
believe Iowa to be on the whole the best and surest corn State in the Union, 
the surface is more rolling, the soil more porous and sandy and better 
drained by nature than most of the prairie soils in other States. Hence the 
corn is not so subject to damage from too much rain here as in Illinois and 
Missouri. It dries out for cultivation quicker." 



CLIMATOLOGY OF IOWA. 



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36 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

SUNSHINE, CLOUDINESS, ETC. 

Notwithstaudiug its copious rainfall and the abundant humidity of the 
air iu the growing season, Iowa has a large average percentage of sunshine, 
and a correspondingly small amount of cloudiness. A little over fifty per 
cent of the days are clear, or partially obscured by clouds, and the average 
annual cloudiness is not over 47 per cent. The rainfall comes largely in 
the form of evening showers, and it may be stated that nearly one-third of 
the summer storms occur between the hours of six and ten p. m., and more 
than 65 per cent of the precipitation falls at evening or during the night. 
The rising sun, increasing heat and expanding air of the morning hours, 
and throughout the larger part of each day, serve to dissipate the cloudy 
and rapidly dry the surface of the fields moistened by evening showers. 
Fogs are of rare occurrence, and usually of short duration. At Des Moines 
the average number of days on which there is a fall of rain or snow amount- 
ing to .01 of an inch or more is 117 per year, and the average number of 
cloudless days is 126 per j^ear. Prof. Parvin's thirty-two years records at 
Muscatine and Iowa City show an annual average of 116 clear days, 169 
variable and 80 cloudy. The average for the State is 115 clear days, 144 
partly cloudy, and 105 cloudy daj's per year. For the three summer months 
the average is 30 clear, 41 partly cloudy, and 21 cloudy days. That shows 
a verj^ large average amount of sunshine during the season of crop produc- 
tion. The maximum of cloudiness is in March and December, and the 
minimum in July, August and September. 

TEMPERATURE. 

In Iowa the summers are decidedly warmer, and the winters slightly 
colder than in the eastern States on the same parallels. The annual mean 
temperature is about 47 degrees, ranging from 42 at the more elevated 
northern points to 50 degrees near the southern line. The mean tempera- 
ture of spring and autumn ver}^ nearly correspond to the yearly average. 
And the normals of April and October also approximate very closely to the 
spring, autumn and yearlj^ means. 

The temperature range of the State is quite high, averaging probably 
120 degrees from the minimum of winter to the maximum of summer. But 
the winters are relatively of much shorter duration than on the same lines 
of latitude in the Atlantic states. And the transition from winter to sum- 
mer temperature is usually very rapid, the average increase in April and 
Maj' being a third of a degree per day. The average of the three summer 
months is as follows : June 69.2, July 74.1, August 71.0, giving a mean 
summer temperature of 71.4. The mean of the three winter mouths is 20.6; 
spring 46.5 ; autumn 48.5. 

The charts issued by the Signal Service, showing the isothermal lines 
of the United States, furnish a basis of comparison of the temperature of 
low^a and the eastern States. In January the State lies between the 
isotherms 15° and 25°. The line of 20° passes diagonally through the 
northern half of the State from a point below Sioux City to the northeast 
corner, thence diagonally through Wisconsin to the northern part of Michi- 
gan ; and eastward through Kingston, Canada ; northern New York, Ver- 
mont and New Hampshire to Eastport, Maine. In February the 20° and 
30° lines cut the northwestern and southeastern corners of the State, and 



CLIMATOLOGY OF IOWA. 37 

the 25" isotherm crosses the State on a aearlj' direct line from Sioux Citj' to 
Dubuque, curving slightly northward across Wisconsin through Milwaukee, 
thence eastward with slight curvatures through Michigan and Canada, and 
along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, through northern New York, 
ending in Portland, Maine. And for the three winter months the normal 
temperature of Iowa corresponds very nearly with that of the latitude of 
northern Michigan, northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and 
Maine. The Iowa winters, however, are much more endurable and enjoy- 
able than the corresponding season in the regions above named, which have 
a much larger number of stormy days and heavier precipitation. 

In March the isotherms touching Iowa follow more nearly the parallels 
of latitude, with sharp curvatures to the southward in crossing the Alle- 
ghanies. In April the temperature of Iowa corresponds nearly with that of 
central Ohio, southern Pennsylvania, Washington, Philadelphia and New 
York city. In Maj' and through the summer mouths the isotherms curve 
sharply southward on nearing the Atlantic coast, and the temperature of 
Iowa is as high as that of central Ohio, southern Pennsylvania, West Vir- 
ginia, Maryland and New Jersey. 

These comparisons show the wide range between the winter and sum- 
mer temperature of this portion of the Mississippi valley. In short, the 
winter temperature is like unto that of Montreal, and the summer heat is 
equal to that of Baltimore and Washington. 

The marked extremes of temperature above noted give to this region its 
marvelous productiveness, the cold as well as the heat being an important 
factor in the growing of crops. The myriad plowshares of Jack Frost pene- 
trate the earth to great depths, pulverizing the soil and preparing it to 
respond to the quickening influences of the gentle rains and almost tropical 
heat of the summer months. The winter campaign is usually short and 
sharp, and the clear, pure air tones up the systems of all who have the vital- 
ity to withstand extremes. It is not exactlj" an ideal climate for invalids 
who need an equable temperature, but the tables of vital statistics show 
that it is remarkably healthful. 

Til E SEASONS IN IOWA. 

The calendar year is divided into four seasons of equal length, but in 
matter of fact in this latitude the seasons are of variable duration. In Iowa, 
summer is the longest season, averaging about four months, during which 
the mean temperature ranges above GO degrees. The average duration of 
winter, during which the mean temperature is below 30 degrees, is a little 
over three and a half months. The balance of the year is divided about 
equally between spring and autumn, the mean temperature ranging between 
30 and 60 degrees. On this basis the average dates of beginning and end- 
ing of the seasons in this State may be tabulated as follows : 

Winter — November 28th to ^larch ITth. 

Spring— March ISth to May 20th. 

Summer — May 21st to September 23d. 

Autumn — Sei^tember 24th to November 27th. 

Spring and summer usually open from one to two weeks earlier in the 
extreme southern part of the State than in the northern and more elevated 
localities. There is, however, less difference in the opening of the winter 
season. 



38 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



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CLIHATOLOGY OF IOWA. 39 

LATE AND EAKLY FHOSTS. 

On an average there are 140 to 150 days between the hitest damaging 
frost of spring and the first killing frost of autinnn. The latest of spring 
occnrs on an average, about the last week in April or the first week in May; 
and the earliest damaging frost of the fall is about the 25th of September. 
Light and comparatively harmless frosts occasionally occur between those 
dates, but as a rule there is in every season ample time to produce a well- 
matured crop of the best varieties of western dent corn, which with favor- 
itig- conditions may be grown iii 100 to 110 days after germination. Prof. 
Parvin's very complete records, covering the years from 1839 to 1869, show 
the mean dates to have been for the latest frost May 4, and for the earliest 
September 24. This would give an average exemption from hurtful frosts 
of 142 days. Prof. Parvin, writing in 1870 said: 

" It has happened but once or twice in the last thirty years that the 
frost has, over a great extent, seriously injured the corn crop. When the 
spring is late, the fall is either qnite hot or lengthened, so as to afford time 
for the crop to mature." 

This has been the result of observation in the years since this paragraph 
was written. A careful study of all available records leads to the con- 
clusion that Iowa has, on an average, as long a period of exemption from 
killing frosts in the crop season as any State within the same parallels of 
latitude in the eastern part of the United States, except possibly within a 
few miles of the coast. 

DESTRUCTIVE STORMS. 

In common with nearly all portions of the United States east of the 
Rocky Mountains, Iowa is subject to the occasional visitation of violent 
atmospheric disturbances, in form of wind-squalls, hail and thunder 
storms. The more destructive effects of these disturbances, however 
are purely local, and limited to small areas compared with the extent of 
territory benefitted by the storm. Being well watered, it cannot escape 
these almost universal conditions. 

The Gulf is the great thermal fountain of humidity, and the boreal 
regions send down the valley the titanic forces which wring fertilizing 
moisture from the vapor-laden winds of the south. The Gulf and the Arctic 
sea are the positive and negative poles of the battery which propels the 
alternating life currents through this favored region. And the earth is 
•watered and made fruitful by this conflict of elements, which at times 
becomes so intense and violent at local points as to cause destruction to life 
and property. But the more violent storms which occasionally sweep over 
small areas of the State are the incidental ills resulting from condilions 
■which promote the general good. Ilail-storms, thunder storms, tornadoes 
and wind-squalls are the exceptional products of the benign elements of 
heat and moisture which make this valley a paradise of abundance. If the 
course of this great valley had been east and west instead of north and 
south, with the mountain ranges at right angles with their present direction, 
the interior of the continent would be exempt from atmospheric distur- 
bances of this character ; but it would be an uninhabitable desert instead of 
the garden of the world. There are regions of wide extent which enjoy 



40 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

almost perfect immunity from the class of storms above referred to, but 
they are deserts or arid sections whicli must nerds be irrigated to yield 
even a scanty support to their inhabitants. The climate of this State, with 
all its drawbacks and incidental disturbances is vastly to be preferred to 
the deserts or semi-arid regions, notwithstanding their exemption from 
destructive storms. 

The reputation of Iowa's climate has been injured among people who 
are not well informed on the subject, by exaggerated descriptions of the 
occasional severe storms incident to this latitude ; and the idea has pre- 
vailed to some extent that this section is alternately plowed by tornadoes 
and harrowed by blizzards. This has resulted from the fact that newspaper 
reports of wind-storrus are often highly over-wrought, from indulgence in 
the American passion for sensationalism. And, unfortunately, some of 
these exaggerated reports have been embodied in ofHcial records to the 
detriment of the State. Using these highly colored newspaper reports as a 
basis, there was published a few years ago in the American Meteorological 
Journal, a so-called "Iowa Tornado Chart," giving the tracks of alleged 
tornadoes for the period of fifty-two years. The total number charged to 
the account of this State was 128, and the year of greatest frequency was 
1886, which 3'ear was credited with a crop of twenty-six veritable tornadoes 
raised on Iowa soil. A careful investigation showed that the bulk of these 
disturbances were merely wind squalls accompanying thunder-storms of 
some local severity. The aggregate of damage from storms that year was 
very light. The tendency to exaggerate the importance or violence of local 
phenomena causes certain newspaper reporters to apply the term "cyclone" 
to every wind gust which is powerful enough to demolish some of the frail 
structures which were very common in this State in the pioneer era, and 
which are yet quite numerous. But the people who have resided in Iowa 
through good and evil report have learned that it is as safe as any other 
section within the temperate zone. 

And despite the exaggerated reports it may be positively affirmed that 
veritable tornadoes are quite infrequent in this State. Since its settlement 
by the whites, there have been in Iowa two notably destructive tornadoes 
which are entitled to rank with the great disturbances of like nature at 
Lawrence, Mass,, Reading, Pa., and Louisville, Ky. 

Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs, in his annual report of the Iowa Weather Ser- 
vice for the year 1888, published a very complete refutation of the exagger- 
ated statements that had been given currency relative to Iowa tornadoes. 
Gen. Greeh\ Chief Signal Officer, in his book on Ameiican Weather, sa5's 
that three thousand persons haye been killed in the United States by this 
class of storms, and the loss of life has been greatest in relative order in 
States as follow* : Missouri, Mississippi, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wis- 
consin and Ohio. The loss of property aggregates several millions, and has 
been fixed in round numbers, as follows : Ohio, over eight millions of dol- 
lars ; Minnesota, six millions ; Missouri, three millions ; Mississippi, two 
millions ; Iowa, one and a half millions ; Wisconsin, over one million. 

In his report for 1890, Gen. Greely gives a statement of the relation 
between the total area visited annually by violent storms of all classes to 
the area of the State, with the following result : In Alabama, one square 



m 



CLIHATOLOGY OF IOWA. 41 

mile of limited destruction to each 8,800 square miles ; Arkansas, one to 
14,418 ; Georgia, one to 0,090 ; Illinois, one to 8,103 ; Indiana, one to 0,210 ; 
Iowa, one to 7,164; Kansas, one to 9,730 ; Missoui'i, one to 5,336 ; Ohio, one 
to 4,554 ; AVisconsin, one to 12,042. Gen. Greely adds : 

" It appears that in no State may a destructive tornado be expected 
oftener, on an average, than once in two years, and the area over which the 
total destruction can be expected is exceedingly small, even in the States 
most liable to these violent storms." 

And he further concludes that, dangerous as are tornadoes, they are 
not so destructive to life as thunderstorms. This accords with observations 
in Iowa, as it is evident that, in the aggregate, verj'^ many more deaths have 
been caused by lightning strokes than bj' any class of wind-storms. 

WIND MOVEMENT. 

The State is sufficiently well ventilated to make it healthful. On an 
average the wind movement is ample to secure immunity from malaria and 
the germs of disease which arise from decaying vegetation, and to furnish 
mechanical power for the pumping of stock w'ater and the grinding of feed. 
The mean velocity of the wind over the State accords very closely with the 
average for the United States. The average hourly movement is 7 to 8 
miles. At an early period, when the prairies were comparatively treeless, 
the effects of winds were more apparent than now, their force having been 
greatly modified in recent j'ears by artificial groves, hedges and timber 
belts. The prevailing winds are southerly in summer and westerly' at other 
seasons. 

IS THE CLIMATE PERMANENT ? 

All the recorded weather observations of the past fifty years answer 
affirmatively. In recent droughty seasons fears were expressed by certain 
writers that through tillage, ditching and tile drainage, and from the effects 
of clearing away extensive forests in the northwest, the climate of this 
portion of the Mississippi valley has been materially changed by decreasing 
the humiditj" and seasonal rainfall. But the records prove absolutely that 
there has been no dimunition in the humidity and rainfall within the last 
decade as compared with any preceding decade, nor within the last twenty 
years as compared with any preceding score of years since the States was 
settled by civilized people. There have been seasons of excess and 
of deficiency all along the line of recorded observations, but the shortage 
has been no more serious in the eighties and nineties than in the fifties and 
sixties. 

No, there has been no appreciable change in any essential feature of 
the climate. It is as stable as the everlasting hills, and as permanent as the 
inflow and outflow of the currents of the Gulf, by which it is so copiously 
watered. 

In concluding this chapter the writer desires to acknowledge his 
indebtedness to the Chief of the Weather Bureau for voluminous records 
relating to the climate of this State, and to Dr. Geo. >I. Chappel, Local 
Forecast Official and Assistant Director of the Iowa Weather and Crop 
Service, for very efficient aid in the arrangement and tabulation of meteor- 
ological data. 



42 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

NATURAL RESOURCES. 

Nature gave to Iowa a better dowry than uiiues of diamonds or moun- 
taius stored with silver and gold. Its more valuable resources consist ia 
water, sands, rocks, coal and timber, and above all its deep, porous w^onder- 
ful soil. Gold, silver, nickle, zinc, iron, aluminum, and natural gas have 
been found ; but whether they exist in remunerative quantities is to be 
determined by future efforts for their development. 

WATER. 

We class water as one of the natural resources of this productive state. 
Go west — cross the continent to the Pacific — and you ask why those great 
deserts which you pass in your journey. They are desert because the rain- 
fall, the natural irrigation essential to vegetable production, is withheld. 
Here fructifying showers nourish, invigorate and perpetuate vegetable life. 
In the three score years of our written history no pen has ever written of 
Iowa's fields being made barren by burning drouth, or of her people suffer- 
ing the pangs of famine because the essential rainfall was withheld until 
crops were parched and starvation befell them. The beneficient Creator 
gave to Iowa a wealth of resources of more priceless value than mountains 
of the precious metals, in her ever duly recurring showers, and her numer- 
ous springs and perennial streams. 

MEDICINAL WATERS. 

We have valuable healing waters in Iowa. Streams flow from unfail- 
ing fountains that give strength to the weak, ease to the pain-ridden, and 
healing to the sick. We can speak only of a few of such fountains. 

The Lake View Mineral Spring — This is a natural spring near the 
western shore of Wall Lake, a body of water lying in Sac county and fur- 
nishing fine opportunities for boating, fishing and pleasure driving in its 
vicinity. Circumstances have led to the improvement of the surroundings 
of this healing fountain that has now wide reputation for the cure of many of 
the ills to which mortal nature is subject. We give the following analysis 
of its water made by Prof. Walter .J. Haines, of Rush ]\Iedical College 
August, 1888. 

Each gallon of 231 inches contains : 

GRAINS. 

Chloride of Sodium 1.124 

Sulphate of Potassium 285 

Sulphate of Sodium 1.566 

Bicarbonate of Calcium 18.111 

Bicarbonate of ilagnesium 9.479 

Bicarbonate of Sodium 336 

Bicarbonate of Iron 032 

Phosphate of Sodium ; Trace 

Alumina 150 

Silica 1.180 

Organic Matter Trace 

Total 32.284 

THE SARAT0C4A OF THE WEST. 

Who has not heard of Colfax, the famous health resort of Iowa, and its 
waters that have won a fame that has crossed oceans ? This now famous health 



NATURAL RESOURCES. 



45^ 



aud pleasure resort is in .Jasper county, on the main line of the Chicago, 
Rock Island and Pacific railroad. 

Some fifteen years ago an enterprising citizen surmising that a paying 
vein of coal lay hidden under the high wooded hill east of the village, 
procured a drilling apparatus and started the tools downward in quest of the 
desired treasure. By slow, laborioas process he put his drill down about 
four hundred and fifteen feet when a sudden bursting forth of a fine stream of 
water caused a stoppage of his work. lie was not i)leased with what he 
then considered ill luck, but his complaints interposed no check to the 
gushing stream. It continued its bright and abundant fiow. The workmen 
and spectators sipped thereof to investigate its quality. Its taste at 
first peculiar, after a little use was not unpleasant; those who drank freely, 
however, were soon admonished that it possessed unusual qualities, and a. 
quantity of the sparkling fluid was sent to an educated physician at Daven- 
port for examination. Acting on his recommendation a quantity was for- 
warded to Prof. Ileiurichs of the State University, who reported the follow- 
ing analysis of the fluid: 





GRAINS PER OALLON. 


Millograraes per litre 


NAME OF COMPOUND. 


American Gallon of Imperial Gallon of 
•^1 cubic inches. 70,000 Grains. 


or parts per million 


Sodium chloride 


3.85 

T8.86 

.41 

31.87 

13.07 

17.51 

.67 

.29 

Trace 

7.18 


4.63 

94.57 

.49 

38.22 

15.68 

21,00 

.81 

.35 

Trace 

8.61 


66 


Sodium sulphate 


1,351 


Potassium sulphate 

Magnesian sulphate 

Calcium sulphate 


546 
224 


Calcium carbonate 


300 


Iron carbouate 

Silica alumina 


11.5 

5 


Lithia 

Carbon dioxide 


Trace 
12:} 


Total 


153.71 


181.35 


2,633.5 



Other borings have been made and similar fountains have been reached 
in that locality. Their analysis varies but slightly from that above given. 
The "Colfax Springs" running "abundant, free and clear" are already of 
great value. Their healing virtues have been tested by thousands of visitors 
from our own and other states who came to them enfeebled by disease, but 
went from them with radiant cheek and buoyant step to proclaim their 
health restoring power. 

DES MOINES SIEDICIXAL W'ELLS. 

Several artesian flows of water have been struck in and near the city of 
Des Moines that are reputed to have medicinal value. The water from one 
in the central part of the city has been used quite extensively with great 
benefit to many persons. 

At Cherokee, Lineville and other places in the state there are water* 
reported to be of considerable medicinal value. 

THE CLINTON WELLS. 

The city of Clinton is finely supplied with pure health giving water, 
obtained from artesian wells, drilled into the Potsdam sandstone. Of the 
source and abundance of the supply, Superintendent llighiands of the city 
water works reports as follows : 



44 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

" It might not be amiss in tiiis connection to say sometiiing about tlie 
source of this magnificent water supply. In this locality the Potsdam sand- 
stone is reached by the drill at 1,475 feet, or about 1,400 feet below low 
water line in the river and this is the source from which the water is derived. 
This stratum of sandstone is covered over with 1,100 feet of limestone and 
300 to 500 feet of shale. The 400 to 500 feet of limestone immediately oyer 
the sandstone was broken up by some convulsion of nature and whenever 
the drill strikes one of these crevices the water will flow to the surface, with 
the same pressui-e, but with less volume, as if the drill had penetrated the 
sandstone. In drilling well No. 3 the drill penetrated three such crevices. 
The pressure of water from each of those crevices or apparent veins was 
carefully tested by packing off the water above them and it was found 
exactly the same as when tested at the depth of 1,600 feet. The fact that 
the water will only raise 68 feet above the river, shows conclusively that 
the water does not come from any point near the head waters of the Missis- 
sippi river, and it is also equally plain that it could not enter the ground on 
the line of the river where it is only 68 feet above us, for the reason that in 
so short a distance it could not have penetrated through the shale and lime- 
stone into the sandstone. The only alternative is that it must come from 
the Lake Superior region where the sandstone crops out." The difference 
in levels between this and Lake Superior would seem to bear out this 
opinion . 

Speaking of the city wells he says: "The rise and flow of our wells 
now are as follows : 

" No. 1, eight inch bore, 1,450 feet deep ; daily flow 700,000 gallons. 
"No. 2, five inch bore, 1,235 feet deep ; daily flow 400,000 gallons. 
" No. 3, eight inch bore, 1,675 feet deep ; daily flow 900,000 gallons." 
These three wells are drilled within a radius of 200 feet and the flow 
and pressure seem to remain constant. 

The city mains are connected with three other wells, one owned by the 
city of Lyons and the other by private parties, and the total supply at com- 
mand is thus stated: "Our mains are also connected with the pumping 
stations of the Lyons water works, W. J. Young & Co., and C. Lamb & Sous' 
Chancy mills. The total pumping capacity for fire protection is as follows : 

GALLONS PER DAY. 

Clinton station •J,()0(),000 

Lyons station 3,000,000 

W. J. Young & Co 6,000,000 

C. Lamb & Sons 4,000,000 

Total 22,000,000 

"As our maximum daily consumption rarely reaches 2,500,000 gallons 
per day this would leave 19,500,000 gallons per day for fire protection, or 
water enough to supply eighty-one inch fire streams with 100 pounds of 
pressure through 400 feet of hose ; or if any one of the stations were dis- 
abled it would be very easy for the other three to afford adequate fire 
protection." 

The quality of this abundant supply is shown by the. following anal3^sis, 
made by E. G. Smith, Professor of Analytical Chemistry of Beloit College, 
Wisconsin : 



NATURAL RESOURCES. 45 

SOLID RESIDUE IN PARTS PER 1,000 OF WATER. 

Silica 0105 

Sulphuric acid 06-40 

Chloriue 0092 

^^"•"^^V, 0003 

Feme oxule 

Lime 0663 

Maguesia 034.3 

Sofia 149& 

Carbouic acid, etc 1182 

.5129 
Less Oxj'gen equivalent to chlorine 0156 

^^4973 
Total solids from 1,000 parts of water actually weighed after drying 

at 140c \ A98(y 

Or to state it in another manner as showing grains per gallon it would 
show thus : 

GRAINS PER CiAI.LON 231 CUBIC INCHES. 

Sodium Sulphate. .• 6.6266 

Sodium Chloride 6.6616 

Sodium bicarbonate 6.2824 

Calcium Bicarbonate 11.2291 

Magnesium Bicarbonate 7.4267 

Al"'"^'^^ 0174 

Ferric acid 

Silica 6124 

38.8552 
At the city of McGregor there are two artesian flows from the same 
source. The largest one flows a large volume, the bore being put down 
1,00s feet. The Potsdam stone here lies many hundred feet higher than 
the stratum lies at Clinton, the stratum cropping out at the former place. The 
water in the McGregor wells appears to be more highly medicinal than the 
Clinton water. We cannot give any reported measurement of the flow at 
McGregor, but the facts that we have given indicate that abundant supplies 
of the purest w^ater can be obtained in the cities along the Mississippi 
wherever the Potsdam sandstone can be reached. 

SOIL. 

Soil, sunlight and water are the great essentials to the production of 
the bread, meats and fruits that feed our race. Iowa has world-wide 
fame for the depth and richness, the mellowness and productive quality of 
her soil. Prof. White, in his report as State Geologist, speaking of the soil 
of Iowa said : 

"After careful consideration of the results of my examinations, I do not 
hesitate to thus publicly announce my estimate that 95 per cent, of the 
surface of Iowa is tillable land. The state being without mountain rani-es 
hills or other barren surfaces and everj^where covered with a soil of such 
fertility and depth, its agricultural capabilities are almost beyond 
computation." 

The theory of geologists that the soil of Iowa is formed largely of 
decomposed rocks floated over the portion of the State the drift covers, may 
be true or not. Its depth and productive qualities are the matters of our 



46 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

chief couceru. There are but few places in this remarkably productive 
state where a plow can turn up barren subsoil; the fertile soil is found 
through the state ranging in depth from one to one hundred feet. This is 
more fully described in the chapter on the Geology of Iowa, by Prof. Keyes. 
One great advantage of our soil is its porousness. It is easily pulverized, 
is light and warm and the roots of growing crops easily penetrate it. This 
characteristic not only makes farm labor inviting on account of the crop 
produced, but doubly so by the ease with which the cultivation is done. We 
hear nothing in Iowa of soil being worn out. It cannot be "worn out with 
a,ny proper farming, hence there is wealth for the ages in its fertility and 
productive power, and there is perpetual comfort in the ease with which 
agricultural operations are performed. 



This species of earth is important in essential manufactures. The 
savage may build his wigwam frame of poles and cover it with grass or 
skins or barks. The pioneer will build his cabin of logs or sod, but by 
industry and economy he soon provides the means for better things. The 
brick maker and mason's services are soon needed and openings invite the 
pottery and the tile factor}^ and search is made for suitable claj's for these 
manufactures. 

In all parts of Iowa, clays suitable for the manufacture of excellent 
brick is easily obtained, hence the brick industry is obtaining large 
dimensions. The demand for building brick, paving brick and the finest 
■quality of pressed brick is having yearly increase. 

The day of building cheap, perishable shanties for residences, and 
structures of cheap combustible and perishable material for business uses 
is outgrown in this State. Three to eight story solid, stately business 
blocks now grace our cities, and solid brick and stone residences are found 
in our numerous thrifty villages. Our cities and towns now mostly have 
their " fire limits," and the indulgence of a false economy in the erection of 
cheap, unattractive, combustible structures in our business centers is largely 
prohibited. This wise provision encourages improved architecture and the 
use of building material of substantial quality, and so the brick makers art is 
encouraged and his business enlarged. No better clays can be found for 
the manufacture of the finest quality of pressed brick than are now ob- 
tained in numerous places in this state. 

Superior clays for the manufacture of stoneware and finer forms of 
pottery are found in numerous places. During the year 1892 several 
hundred carloads of cla}"-, for the manufacture of tableware were shipped 
from Hardin county to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Milwaukee and elsewhere. 
Tests of this clay have been made at Liverpool, Paris, and Wellsville, Ohio, 
Terre Haute, Indiana, Perth Amboy, N. Y., and elsewhere with most satis- 
factory results in the manufacture of white ware. Large deposits of this 
quality of clay are found. 

With the taking up of the wild lands and the consequent increased value 
of lands the demand for tile to drain springy, spouty places and waste 
sloughs is rapidl}^ increasing, and the manufacture of tile for drainage 
purposes has already assumed large proportions. Excellent clays for this 
manufacture are found throughout the state. 



NATURAL RESOURCES. 47 

The settlement of the eoimtry with its iucreiisinij,- popuhition and wealth 
makes good roads more important and leads to road improvement. The 
growth of flourishing towns and cities, and care for their cleanliness and 
healthfulness provide enlarging markets for sewer pipe, and its manufacture 
is becoming an important and growing industry. 



According to slang phrase, is fi vjiluable quality in the mental consti- 
tution. It is an essential element in our industries. Many important 
mechanical and manufacturlDg operations demand its use. The people of 
Iowa have rich endowment of the mental element expressed by the term, 
and nature has provided numerous banks of this material in suitable quali- 
ties and quantities for mechanical operations. The builder readily finds 
suitable sand. The brick maker and iron moulder find sands suitable for 
their operations, while glass factories and smelting furnaces export 
sands in quantities from our state for their work. 



Iowa is not a mountainous nor rocky State, but the exact reverse. Yet 
there is abundant supply of stone for building, the manufacture of lime and 
other uses. The general distribution of railroads throughout the state, 
makes these supplies, that the Creator liberally provided, everywhere avail- 
able. 

Census bulletin No. 78, Census of 1890, devoted to Klines and Miniusr, 
treating of limestone, gives important figures respecting this important 
natural commoditv. 

The whole number of limestone ciuarries reported in the country was 
1,954. Of these 148 were in Iowa. These Iowa (juarries had a reported 
value of $530,868. 

The product of these 143 quarries in this state was reported as 6,280,727 
cubic feet of stone for building purposes, valued at $286,792. Lime burned 
365.394 barrels of 200 pounds each, of the value of $170,043. For street 
work 1,732,630 cubic feet of the value of $70,887 were produced. These 
products of the 143 limestone quarries of Iowa, having a reported value of 
$477,222. Relatively among the states of the Union Iowa has fair rank in 
the production of this useful and valuable stone. In the number of lime- 
stone quarries having fifth place ; in the number of employees workino- such 
quarries seventh place ; in amoimt of wages paid tenth place ; in amount of 
stone produced, twelfth place ; and in the aggregate value of the product 
of limestone quarries tenth place. 

The limestone beds of Iowa are not found in one corner or in one 
locality of the State merely, but have quite general distribution over its area. 

A further description of the rocks of the State is given in this chapter 
by Prof. Keyes. 

GYPSUM. 

Is found in large deposits in Webster county, along the Des Moines 
river. All the operators in its production in 1889 had their headquarters at 
Fort Dodge. All the deposits or beds of gypsum being found near that city. 

To quite a large extent gypsum has been used in Fort Dodge for build- 
ing purposes. When first (luarried it is easily dressed with an axe or saw, 



48 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

hardens when in the wall and makes a solid strncture. Prof. White, in his 
geographical report, wrote in 1870 of a residence built of this rock in 1861 : 
" Its walls appear as unaffected by exposure and as beautiful as they were 
when first erected." 

In the year named gypsum was i)roduced in California, Colorado, Iowa, 
Kansas, Michigan, New^ York, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and 
AVyoming. Iowa ranking third in the quantity produced and third in the 
total value of the product. In that year the industry at Fort Dodge gave 
employment to 59 men. 

Part of the product is sold and used as a fertilizer, 14,434 short tons of 
the Iowa product being sold in 1889 for that purpose 7,550 tons were calcined 
for stucco. The product of the mines and factories that year in Iowa was 
valued at $55,250. 

The deposits are found in the bluffs of the Des Moines river, covering 
an extent of about seven miles along the river valley. 

Prof. White gives the thickness of the deposit at Goss' Mill, then its 
known southern extremity, as ten feet. At the Cummins quarry, six miles 
northward from the Goss Mill, as twenty feet. The deposit is sufficiently 
large to be virtually inexhaustible, but is formed in somewhat irregular 
layers. Prof. White pronounces it of "as good qualitj^ as any in the coun- 
try, even for the finest uses." 

Iowa gypsum manufactured into stucco, was very largely used in the 
manufacture of "staff," the material used for the external covering of the 
exhibition buildings in Jackson Park. 

COAL. 

The coal product of the country is of the utmost importance to the 
public prosperity. While this statement is true in regard to the,- whole 
countrj' it is energized when we apply it particularly to a prairie State. 
Iowa may not be far known as a mining State, yetthe productions of her mines 
are no mean interest. Few suppose that she has place in the list of States 
near to the top in any mining production. But she has high rank in the 
production of bituminous coal. The United States census of 1890 reports 
twenty-seven coal producing States and their entire production as 95,729,026 
tons. It reports the following five States as producing for the j'ear 1889, 
the amounts given below, they being the five leading States : 

STATES. PRODUCTION. 

Pennsylvania 36,174,089 tons 

Illinois 12,104,272 " 

Ohio 9,976,787 " 

West Virginia 6,231,890 " 

Iowa 6,095,358 " 

Iowa ranges tenth in population but fifth in the production of bitumi- 
nous coal, producing in 1890 one bushel in every twenty-two bushels of the 
product of the country. 

The state mine inspectors in their last biennial report to the governor 
of the State, report production of coal in twenty-three counties. The State 
has three raining districts. We copy tables given by the several inspectors 
showing the number of mines, production and other interesting items rela 
ting to this business in each county named : 



NATURAL RESOURCES. 



49 



Showing number of mines, annual output, number of miners and other employe:^, value 
of product, etc., in District ^»o. 1, for the year ending June 30, 18'Jl. 



NAME OF COUNTY, 



■=> — -^ 



a — 



? 


u ■ 


^ 


(i'S 






A 


%^ 










V 


Ht ■ 










01 


a a 


JS 


bia. 






o 






0/ c c 






< 


< 



o" 



0) ^ . 



Adams 

Appanoose. 

Davis 

Lucas 

Monroe 

Page 

Tavlor 

Wapello... . 

Wayne 

Warren 



14,872 
393,255 

3,; 
136,722 
355,4" 
2,700 

13,420 
169,390 

31,57^ 

15,604 



89[ 14 

1,193 a49 

17! 7 

187 20 
609 



26 
62 
358 
101 
80 



Total. 170| 1,136,190 3,72i 



$1.34 

.95 

.91 

.76 

72 

l'.6:i 

1.37 

.75 

.90 

1.04 



20, 

368, 

o 

los! 

355, 

4, 

is: 

120 

38 
16 



031.42 $ 

934.61 

972.011 

400.00 

,773.84 

400. (Ml 

,405.a) 

,376.27 

,252.00 

,303.61 



2,296.00 $2.04 
60,256 98, 1.3" 
180.00 

6,600.00 

95,.")08.05 

500.00 

4,013.00 
44,4(U.ll 
10,875.00 

3,797.23 



1.58 
■ .26 
i.23 
2.41 
3.03 
1.30 
1.40 
1.80 



$ .83$ 938,838.75$ 227,430.371$ 1 .33 



29,384.00 

540,767.10 

5,160.50 

172,190.00 

536,173.58 

6,590.00 

27,130.00 
317,737.38 

44,173.00 

27,809.60 



$1,507,013.06 



DISTRICT NO. 3. 



.Jasper 

.Jefferson, .. 

Keokuk 

Mahaska... 

Scott 

Van Bureu. 

Total.., 



146,0911 

3,933 

363,617 

, 963,5581 

10,5:34 1 

46,764; 



383 70 
18 6 

665 340 

1,105 416 

47. 4 

93 18 



« .85 $ 135,134.35 

.931 3,714.49 

.74; . 369,103.04 

.751 719,976.14 

.97 10,195.32 

.85 39,596.00 



97 1,533,4961 2,211 j 754 $ . 76!S1,166, 718.34 $ 290,715.04 $ 1. .32162,009,916.77 



30,328.671$ 1.43,$ 308,587.96 



5,56,36 

37,3:;9.95, 

314.440.06 

1,180.00 

6,940.00 



1.80 
1.40 
1.35 
1.7b 
1.31 



5,347.30 

509.2.30.03 

1,307;099.08 

18.441.50 

61,388.00 



DISTRICT NO. 3. 



Boone... 
Dallas. . 
Guthrie. 
Greene. . 
Marion . . 

Polk 

Webster. 



Total. 



19 


189,577 


480 


128 


6 


43,334 


106 


34 


16 


11,993 


87 


15 


4 


74,544 


158 


33 


37 


210,061 


347 


133 


18 


397,833 


652 


317 


20 
110 


124,963 


273 


96 


1,052,295 


2,103 


654 



$ .94$ 177,003.75 



.93 

1.48 
.85 
.75 
.88! 

.841 



40,378.40 
17,770.00 
63,592.79 
158,(i79.33 
331,048.73 
104,360.09 



60,364.41 
14,450.00 
3,260.00 
14,558.03 
43,341.19 
97,544.26 
44.628.17 



.84$ 882,732.76 $ 277,146.06 1.57 $1,657,465.56 



1 1.86 
1.78 
2.50 
1.59 
1.30 
1.53 
1.61 



$ 351.836.31 
76,933.40 
39,9,83.50 
118,173.39 
275,300.31 
604,921.25 
200,328.50 



SUMMARY. 







«M 


Cft X 






r-* "" *J 1' i 










» 













NUMKER OF 


E 


§"3 







■io 


^ 


*" ^ 


Mg 


u 

a 




"o 





OJ 


0/ 






s ^ 




2 s 


DISTRICT . 


S 


11 


B E 
3 aj 





a 3 
MS. 

S d ai) 


— n 
" 


5 ~ p 
"3 — .2 


^ c* 2 






l2 


z 


■z 


< 


-^ 


f-i . 


c- 


< 


^ 


District No. 1 


170 


l,136,l<t0 


2 721 


687 


8 .8:: 


$ 9:i8.s:js.75 


$ 237,4:30.:37|S 1 .;32[Sl,507,012.06 


District No. 2 


9V 


1,533,496 


2,311 


75"! 


.71 


1,165,718.34 


390,715.041 l.:33 2,009,916.77 


District No. 3.... 


110 


1,052,295 


3,10:3 


654 


.84 


883,73:3.76 


377,146.061 1.57 1,657,465.56 


Total 


377 


3,721,981 


7,0:i5 


2,095 


S .8li$2,988,380.55 


$ 795,391.471$ l.:39 S5,174,.394.39 



This summary of the three mining districts of the State includes reports 
from 3TT mines. It reports the production of 3,721,981 tons of bituminous 
coal, being 1.94 tons per capita to the population of the State. It shows that 
this industry gave employment to 9,130 persons, paying to those emploj'es the 
sum of ^3,783..572.02. That the coal produced was valued at upwards of 
five million dollars. Xo further elucidation is necessary to prove that Iowa 
has highly important and valuable mining interests. Her producers of 
•"*Black Diamonds" add greatly to her prosperity. It may be remarked that 
many mines operated only in the winter months are not reported by the 



so HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

inspectors, and coal is mined in six counties not included in the above 
tables. Hence the discrepancy between the census and state mine inspec- 
tors' reports. 

Iowa coal is not anthracite. It may not be a line quality of coking 
coal. It may not be renowned for its excellence as a gas coal, but it is an 
excellent fuel coal, a fine steam producer and is of great value to her peo- 
ple for household use, for locomotive consumption and for all industries 
using steam power. 

Coal is found and mined in the following counties not named in the above 
tables, namely, Cass, Adair, Fremont, Lee, Hardin and Hamilton counties. It 
will doubtless be found by deeper prospecting in counties where it is not now 
known to exist. The field now as developed, extends from Scott county on 
the Mississippi on the east, to Fremont county on the Missouri on the west, 
a distance of upwards of 200 miles. While in the opposite direction it 
extends from the Missouri line into Hamilton and Hardin counties, a dis- 
tance of 140 miles. Nature has stored away in the deep and hidden cham- 
bers of this vast field, supplies of fuel to furnish heat and light for Iowa's 
millions. 

THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IOWA. 

Iron Ore We know^ that it is not in accordance with the arrangement 
of geological strata as usually seen that a bed of iron ore should exist in 
this part of Iowa, and the impei'fect surveys heretofore officially made of 
the State have either ignored, or unjustly misrepresented their existence. 
We know, also, from years of personal examination, the many test pits that 
have been dug, varying from a few to thirty-two feet deep, and the bottom 
of the ore not yet reached, all through an almost solid mass of iron ore, 
lying below one to four feet of surface soil, though cropping out above the 
ground in many places, and from the hundreds of tons of ore that have 
been mined, that it exists here in vast quantities. One bed about one and 
one-half miles northeast of Waukon, covers three hundred or more acres. 
It has been estimated that 500 tons daily could be taken out for 100 years- 
Its cjuality is a brown hematite, is quite porous, permitting heat to per- 
meate the center of the mass, making its reduction easy. On the north and 
west sides it laps on Trenton limestone ; on the south and east sides on St. 
Peter's sandstone. It lies on top of one of the highest points of land in the 
county, about 700 feet above the Mississippi, and about fourteen miles dis- 
tant from that river. A railroad could be run right into its sides, and up a 
valley into its very center so that loading would be all down hill. Several 
analyses have been made ranging from 52 to GO per cent. One analysis 
was as follows : 

Sesquioxide of iron 52.751 

Sesquioxide of magnese 8.054 

Sesquioxide of cobalt 2:30 

Alumina 1.777 

Lime 1.090 

Magnesia 374 

Sulphuric acid 047 

Phosphoric acid 4.092 

Water and organic matter 13.134 

Silicioua matter 10.631 

100.000 



NATURAL RESOURCES. 



51 



Auother test made by Prof. Fisher, analytical chemist, of Milwaukee, 
Wis., from ore taken by himself from the mines, gave these results, as he 
reported to the writer : 





Black. 


Yellow. 


Con.«titueuts of 
average ore. 


Metallic iron 


58.59 
4.00 


54.79 

5.12 
11.92 
.131 

.70 






76.74 


'j^ilica 


11.02 


\Vat«r 


11 92 


Phosphorus (Phosp 
.Siilpluir 


loricAcid) 


.30 


Lime . . 


70 






Total 








100. fiS 







Magnesia, trace. Alumina Trace. Manganese, trace. 

These deposits were first discovered by Mr. C. Barnard about fourteen 
years ago, who soon after called the attention of the writer to them, who 
with him made personal and extensive examination of the same, though 
neither one ever has had, nor has to-day, a dollar's worth of interest in the 
lauds in any form. Our aim has been to develop the resources of this 
county. These lands have been leased at three different times to outside 
parties. The changes in the tariff in 1883 caused a suspension of their 
development at that time. Again thej^ were being opened and on the point 
of successful development when the principal capitalist and promoter 
interested, died. And since they have been leased by parties who seem to 
hold them in abej'ance while they are devoting immediate, personal atten- 
tion to the Lake Superior newlj' developing iron regions. There is not 
local capital to open and w'ork them. It is not desirable that the}' should 
fall into the hands of speculators, because we believe that we have the 
quantity and the quality here for the development of a great industry on a 
solid foundation. It advertises itself best by a personal examination by 
experts and competent judges. 

Other extensive beds of iron ore exist in the county. 

Lead also is profitably mined in large quantities five or six miles north- 
west of Lansing, and is also believed to exist in paying quantities near 
Dorchester in the northern part of the county. 

ZINC. 

This metal is mined in the vicinit\- of Dubuque and quite e.xtensive 
works are being erected in that city for the preparation of the metal for 
commerce. 

While Iowa has mineral interests that are of great value, and give 
promise of enlarged development and commercial importance in the near 
future, the tools of the farm more than the mine have been the chief instru- 
ments used in her great wealth production. It may be conceded that this 
State will never lead some others as a mining State, but her mining and 
manufacturing interests are becoming important factors in her industrial 
enterprises, and will hereafter add largely to wealth acquisition. 

COMMERCIAL FACILITIES. 



We have already intimated something of the commercial opportunities 
and facilities of Iowa. We find the state situated in a position to command 



gi HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

the advantages of 20,000 miles of inland water navigation. No transporta- 
tion can be so cheap as that carried on the great water channels formed by 
the Creator. 

Our great rivers are permanent fixtures ; the lakes and springs pouring 
their flows into the Mississippi and the snows of the mountains sending 
their streams into the Missouri must ever maintain these great rivers as 
navigable thoroughfares. As the years roll on and population and wealth 
increase, public interest will demand still greater outlays to perfect those 
great channels of interior communication and transportation, and their 
benefit to this commonwealth will increase with each succeeding gener- 
ation. Those divinely formed channels of trade and transportation are 
indispensible to Iowa. They will yet bear a large proportion of the pro- 
ducts of her farms, orchards, dairies, mines and shops to distant markets, 
and bring in return immense supplies of commodities and material that her 
industries and her people will demand, and by their competitive position 
will keep the cost of transportation to the lowest figure possible. The vast 
development of wealth in the country will yet be interested in providing 
for the safety, enlarged capacity and consequently cheaper transportation 
on those channels that must ever be free as air to commercial interests. 
The country is moving in behalf of cheap transportation, and the people of 
Iowa are in position to gain great commercial advantages from the consum- 
mation of these movements. 

We have spoken of the development of steam as a motive power on the 
rivers of the country. That success led to experimenting as to the appli- 
cation of steam as a motive power on land, and at the time of the com- 
mencement of the settlement of Iowa, the invention of railways and trans- 
portation thereon by steam power was, though yet in crude condition, prov- 
ing successful. It was not until twenty years after the founding of the firs 
permanent settlement in Iowa that a locomotive reached the Mississippi 
river. 

THE RAILROAD FACILITIES OF IOWA. 

The first settlers of Iowa came from the east by teams. The first move- 
ment in the interest of railroad construction culminated in a convention at 
Iowa City in the winter of 1848. It projected two roads, one from Keokuk 
to Dubuque, the other to span the state from Davenport via Iowa City to 
some point on the Missouri at or near Council Bluffs. The first organiza- 
tion of a company to construct a railroad in this state was organized to build 
the proposed road from Davenport to Council Bluffs. Petitions were sent 
to Congress asking for grants of land to aid in the construction of the pro- 
jected road, but soon there was heated contention respecting the lines on 
which the projected roads should be located. The petitioners of that day 
could not foresee the Iowa they were making, ribboned with tracks of steel 
as it is now. The road from Keokuk to Dubuque was never built. 

In February. 1854, the Chicago tt Rock Island reached the Mississippi 
and the enthusiasm for railroad building was intensified In May, 1856, the 
national Congress made its first grant of land in aid of railroad building in 
this State. That act was approved by President Pierce the fifteenth day of 
that month. It made grants to four roads as follows. We quote from the 
act: 



I; JB o c K 



"96^ — 

Ti O B JL ^ y.' 






^r^ 










lue Earth 
City 

F a\\r I b a u l t 






■'- 







o^Teptune 



Jinton 



01ieroke«7 

HER 



v~VrashlV 



^<i"imT)y 



^^^ 
^'^'^J^ 



Istliof.ville ?V B 
iwanXdke 



; ^ jintiieuille 

'"' C L " A 

Gillett's Grove^O 

iPetorsou ' 




p i;v%^-^4*^ 




,S>i'' 



iai 



btllutfo (Antli,,u// 
/& /Y f) \^V\ Q O ) dJbt' Vi/fR Y 



PDvahbniOK Giiiiv,rJ>t) 
/ © Gity\ , 

o Slnrloy 



ScTialler 



•x 



H U (S", 

ikota 



l^SS^ 



LThraU 



'arty • ^^ , 

D f Af <iS ) ^*?>i»"<?<5'ty "»fe.TRockwe! 

anTLa|S[\ ffranto J\ /'_''" ^ineV V.' 
Chni 






.lot nW'"'' 



Vest Side/i«_«AGUd( len 
C 4/P R Oy\. L 







"TlUttV 







1V\0 N| 

OU GL A S^ 

i jB^-O^alley Station . 

oJ^ta|,.( a\MAHA' 









••tPerciTalGfgldney. 



1 Hepbi 
11a)-ln* 



Scale, of Miles. 









'r\ : 



O Plymoythl 








^ 1 b c r t X e Ji/'/jr^*^£^^ 

u ^^ 



"V H^<^r-S .^^o W Orrih'a 



PAUL 

(hail.- 



t:iIort. 






I 



;^1?' '^^sffi^iauTir'y^^ La Porte City\ 



/R-»-.Y9."'-'^'i^ 



rf*%i^Nr^- — XT 



j^nl'lwm JS^Jw Pre3ioo_^ 




THE RAILROAD FACILITIES OF IOWA. 53 

*' Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States in Congress assembled, that there be and is hereb}' granted 
to the State of Iowa for the purpose of aiding in the construction of rail- 
roads from Burlington on the Mississippi river to a point on the ^Missouri 
river near the mouth of the Phitte river, from the city of Davenport via 
Iowa City and Ft. Des .Moines to Council Bluffs, from Lyons City north- 
westwardly to a point of intersection with the main line of the Iowa Central 
Air Line liailroad near IMacjuoketa, thence on said main line of the Iowa 
Central Air Line as near as practicable to the 42d parallel across the State of 
Iowa to the INIissouri river. From the city of Dubuque to a point on the 
Missouri river near Sioux City, with a branch from the Tete des Mortes to 
the nearest point on said main line, to be completed as soon as the main 
line is completed to that point, every alternate section of land designated by 
odd numbers for six sections in width on each side of said road." 

This legislation further provided that when the lines of these roads 
should be definitely fixed, if it should appear that the United States had 
sold any section or part thereof, granted as aforesaid, or the right of pre- 
emption had attached to the same, then the roads, by agents duly appointed 
by the governor, might select, subject to the approval of the Secretary 
of the Interior, from the lands of the United States nearest to the tiers of 
sections above specified, so much land in alternate sections or parts of 
sections as shall be equal to such lands as the United States have sold or 
otherwise appropriated or to which the rights of pre-emption have attached 
as aforesaid. The lands so located to be in no case farther than fifteen 
miles from the line of said road. 

Some other grants of land for internal improvements in Iowa followed 
this first grant. Under these land grant acts the several aided roads in 
Iowa received land as follows ; acres. 

Burlington & Missouri River (now C. B. & Q.) 287,095.24 

Mississippi & Missouri River (now the C, R. I. P.) .550,193.57 

Iowa Central Air Line (now C. & N. W.) 775,454.19 

Dnbuque & Pacific (now Illinois Central) 1,226,558.32 

]\IcGregor A: Missouri (now C., M. & St. Paul) 372,293.27 

Sioux City & St. Paul 407,879.31 

Des Moines River Improvement Companj' 1,105,907.88 

The grand total of land bestowed by these grants aggregated 4,674,- 
744.88 acres. It is true the gift was princely but it is equally true that the 
benefits sought in return were commensurate. Iowa was then without 
railroads, its interior unsettled and unless railroad advantages were secured 
it would largely remain unsettled. The reader should remember that these 
grants were made forty j-ears ago. Then much of the land entered or pre- 
empted in the interior of the State had been taken by speculators. The few 
settlers in those interior counties who were trying to improve homes were 
laboring in privation, difiiculty and poverty. The surplus they raised had 
to be wagoned over unbridged sloughs and streams to far away markets. 
Millions of acres about them were in market to the first taker at $1.25 per 
acre, but were taken slowly at that price. There was no wealth in the 
State to provide the transportation facilities that every settler desired, and 
those pioneer settlers far out from market, in great breadths of si)arsely 
settled prairie were willing that Congress should give out of its immense 
domain what seemed to them at that time a mere pittance, in order that 
they might secure facilities of transportation that were absolutely essential 




mJkB 



mm i 

%* ./IH/ If 

A Wf 



Iz: 

lo 



t^ { 'i, ^^<{(i?iCin'ffirmiiK^ /> 



THE RAILROAD FACILITIES OF IOWA. 55 

alike to their prosperity and happiness. They figured the value of the land, 
not as we figure it now. with dailj' railroad trains speeding through every 
neighborhood, but as they figured it when the nearest railroad yet lingered 
by the Mississippi, one or two hundred miles from them, and the millions 
of acres of this seemingly boundless west were awaiting purchasers at the 
government price. But though the land was granted and railroad surveys 
were made the railroads did not come. The financial crash of 1857, pros- 
trating business all over the country, followed. Before the country fully 
recovered .from that disaster the civil war broke out and its horrors en- 
grossed the thoughts of the people. It was not possible to proceed with 
the building of these great lines of road until the pageant of the laurel 
crowning of the victors in that terrible conflict was made possible by the 
supremacy of the olive branch through the surrender at Appomattox. 
Soon thereafter work was begun to push the construction of railroads across 
Iowa. 

The Chicago & Northwestern, first to cross the State, reached Council 
Bluffs iu 1807. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy reached that city early in 1SG9, and connection was made 
to the Pacific coast. Then the commerce and travel of the Orient heard of 
a shorter route to Occidental Europe and the great highwaj' of travel 
between the empires of the far away east and the Kingdoms of Europe 
turned a cross this grandeur of vale and hill the world soon learned to know 
as Iowa. 

We will not ask what Iowa would be now had no railroads been built 
in her territory, we will rather endeavor to comprehend what she is today 
with her lacework of railroads that has brought to her every neighborhood 
commercial advantages unsurpassed, and now secure grace to her homes 
and wealth to her people. 

The report of her railroad commissioners for 1893 publishes the fact 
that Iowa now has 8,513.76 miles of railroad within her boundaries or one 
mile of railroad to every 6.46 square miles of her area. There is not 
a county in Iowa without railroad facilities, and but one countj' seat of her 
99 without a railroad, and j^et that county — Pocahontas — has four lines of 
railroad within its borders and seven railroad towns. If we estimate these 
8,513.76 miles of railroad with their rolling stock, side trackage, depots and 
other terminal facilities, to have cost but |25,000 per mile, then we have an 
expenditure of $212,844,000.00 for this great property interest. The expen- 
diture of this sum of millions in Iowa in railroad construction with the 
general distribution of market facilities brought to every locality in the 
State, with the development of mines, quarries and other interests made 
possible by their construction and the encouragement thereby given to 
agriculture, has been a potent factor in the material development made in 
Iowa in the last two decades, and the wonderful advance in property values 
that have been effected. 

The advantages of railroad transportation are eijually distributed 
and farmers in all parts of the State have easy access to railroad markets. 
Five of Iowa's uiuetj'-nine counties have within their area from 150 to 172 
miles of railroad, twenty-six have from 100 to 150 miles, fifty-three have 
from 50 to 100 miles, while there are now only fifteen lowacounties that 



56 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

have less than 50 miles of railroad and but six that have less than 40 miles 
of railroad line, and but two counties having fewer than five railroad stations, 
namely, Ida, four and Emmet, live. 

There are 1,150 railroad stations in the State. The railroads are divided 
into three classes for taxation and charges for freightage and railroad 
fares. They are under the supervision of a board of three commissioners 
elected by the people and are being wisely controlled. 

A glance at the State map found in this volume will reveal that all our 
farmers are within easy range of railroad markets. We doubt the 
possibility of a farm being now found in Iowa, the occcupant of which in 
fair weather and with fairly good roads, cannot start with his team from his 
home in the daylight hour of the morning and returning from his market 
reach his home ere the twilight of the evening has declined into the darkness 
of the night. While the majority of Iowa farmers are so situated that with 
their teams they can haul ofEat least two loads of produce in a day. We have 
heard it said " no farmer is so far from market as he who has nothing to 
sell." The farmers of Iowa do have produce to sell and have market places 
and good markets of easy access. 

TONNAGE CARRIED. 

The total tonnage carried by the railroads of commodities moved from 
place to place in luwa is difficult to obtain. Last year the two great roads, 
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
made no report in this matter. The i-oads reporting their business to the 
Board of E. R. Commissioners moved the folio vviug tonnage : tons. 

Grain " 3,457,688 

Flour 869,064 

Live stock 1,208,271 

Coal 2,783,965 

Lumber 1,476,902 

For the two great roads failing to report, alike for their main line and 
numerous important branches, the mileage controlled by these two roads 
aggregating nearly one-fourth of the mileage of the State, the commis- 
sioners estimated an addition of one-fourth to the above tonnage in the five 
items named. This would make a total of upwards of eleven millions tons 
of those five commodities for the year, largely produced or consumed by 
the agricultural population of the state. Facilities furnished for the rapid 
and cheap movement of such a mass of commodities are a solid factor to 
our business prosperity. 

EAKNINC4S. 

The total earnings of the roads of Iowa for passenger service in the 
state for the year ending June 30, 1892, was $10,387,247.89. The total freight 
earnings of Iowa business was $26,359,095.00. Total earnings on Iowa busi- 
ness $37,405,473.32. Total operating expenses $25,076,828.00, leaving as net 
earnings the sum of $12,328,645.22 

EMPLOYES AND SALARIES. 

The whole number of employes in this service was 30,192, salaries paid, 
$17,807,915.89. Nature made it possible to bring those great aids to agri- 
cultural, mining, manufacturing and commercial pursuits into every locality 



POSTAL FACILITIES. 57 

and community in the State, and the enterprise and liberal spirit of our peo. 
pie has so encouraiicd the improvement of these favoring opportunities that 
in the grand threadwork of iron track-ways now flecking the state, every 
business pursuit and every community enjoys those facilities absolutely 
vital to its prosperit}-. No state of the Union can show these essential 
advantages more general and equably distributed than they are now in 
Iowa. But the work of railroad building is not complete. Some localities 
yet need better railroad facilities, and the work of railroad building 
will go on till the demands of all for the best possible railroad advantages 
are met. 

POSTAL FACILITIES. 

In this age postal conveniences are important to the business interests 
and social life of every community. No agricultural state in the central 
portion of the country has more complete and convenient postal facilities 
than the people of Iowa enjoy. 

We have shown that there are 1,150 railroad stations in Iowa. These 
places all have daily mail facilities. Many country postoflices have also 
daily mail. Postoffices in Iowa with only a weekly mail are obsolete. 

Under date of January 17th, 189:3, the First Assistant Postmaster 
General informed us that January 1st, 1893, there were 1835 postoftices in 
the state. That of this number 179 were presidential offices namely : 1st 
class 7 ; 2nd class 23 ; 3rd class 149 ; other postoffices 1,556. 

The whole number of mail routes in the State was then 834. Their 
total length being 13,484 miles. Number of miles of travel required yearly 
to carry the mails 13,229,678. 

The gross amount of postal receipts in this State for the year ending 
June 30, 1792, was $1,949,847.05. 

These figures show that the people of Iowa are large patrons of the 
postal department. Her people read newspapers and write letters. 

TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 

These modern inventions for the speedy conveyance of intellegeuce are 
established throughout this State and are largely patronized by the people 
aiding business transactions and facilitating communication. 

BANKING. 

The growth of wealth in Iowa has brought enlargement of business, has 
developed new lines of business pursuit and incited the founding of new and 
important business enterprises. 

The banking business is an essential to commercial transaction and 
accommodation in this age of quickened activity and communication. The 
interests of commerce and security of the patrons of banking institutions 
incorporated under our State legislation demand a careful, legal supervision 
to secure their wise management. This is provided by our banking laws. 

Provisions are made by our laws for the incorporation of two classes of 
banking institutions denominated severally. State banks and Savings banks, 
both classes being banks of exchange and deposit; National banks being the 



58 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

only banks of issue. Hon. J. A. Lj-ons, Auditor of State, in his annual bank 
report, June HO. 1892, returned 104 Savings banks, and 141 State banks. The 
Savings banks having a capital of $5,304,000.00, and holding deposits to the 
amount of $3(3,115.384.25. The 141 State banks were reported as having a 
capital of $7,430,000.00, holding on deposit $16,361,011.34. The total capital 
of these two classes of banks being $12,734,200. The total deposits held by 
them $42,476,395.79. 

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. 

The Comptroller of the Treasury, lion. A, B. Hepburn, reported June 
30, 1892, eight incorporated loan and trust companies doing business in 
Iowa. These had a capital stock of $2,122,028 and held deposits amounting 
to $1,001,399. 

At the same date the same officer reported 185 private banks in the State 
with a capital of $5,404,914.00. Individual deposits $10,928,893. 

NATIONAL BANKS. 

In the same document that officer reported 154 National banks in this 
State, having a capital stock of $14,325,000, and holding on deposit 
$30,491,755.68. 

That officer estimated the population of the State June 1, 1892, at 1,964, 
000 persons. He reported the total banking capital iu the State at $44,586, 
152. Individual deposits held by the several classes of banks above named, 
$84,899,443,227. 

The total sum of deposits in the several institutions enumerated 
averaged $43.22 pe?' capita, to the estimated population. Surely a people 
with such an amount of cash per capita at command in banks if not 
rich are at least in that happy condition desired by Agur: "Give me 
neither poverty nor riches, feed me with convenient food for me, lest I be 
full and deny thee and say who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor and steal 
and take the name of my God in vain." 

INSURANCE. 

The insurance business has assumed large dimensions and like the 
banking business it is placed under strict legal supervision. It is operated 
under two lines, namely, stock and mutual companies, all subjected to the 
same strict supervision. 

There were in the State 141 Co-operative or Farmers' Insurance com- 
panies, carrying December 31, 1891, risks to the amount of $93,291,790. They 
paid for losses during the year 1890, $103,912.75, doing their business at an 
average cost of $1.57 per $1,000 of insurance. Insuring nothing but farm 
property or what are strictly detached dwellings in towns their losses are 
light, and doing business strictly on the mutual plan and without expensive 
agencies their expenses are very low and insurance is carried in them at the 
lowest possible rate. 

There are nineteen other companies incorporated under the laws 
of Iowa, doing general fire insurance business. Of these eleven are joint 
stock companies holding a paid up capital of $875,000. Seven are mutual 
companies. The eighteen companies have a total of gross assets of $3,890,- 
463. Their total income in 1891 was $1,883,461.25. They wrote risks during 
that year to the grand total of $97,785,403.87, and paid in losses $784,386.31. 



INSURANCE. 59 

KOHEIGN CJOMPANIES. 

All foreiu'n oompauies before they can do business in Iowa must nialve 
Batisfactory Bhowin<!: of tlieir condition to the Auditor of State. Tliere were 
108 of such companies doina- business in Iowa in 1890, namely, 1 German 
company, 2 Scotch, 14 English, 2 Canadian, 7 Connecticut, 2? New York, 
() Massachusetts, 4 New Jersey, 1 Maryland, 1 Pennsylvania, 14 Wisconsin, 
4 Colorado, 1 Michigan, 3 Rhode Island, 3 Illinois, 5 Tennessee, 1 New 
Hampshire and 2 Minnesota. Three foreign countries and fifteen other 
states are represented in the fire insurance business in this State. These do 
a large business. 

LIFE INSDRANCE. 

The life insurance business is carried on by home and foreign com- 
panies. Including both classes twenty-nine life insurance companies were 
authorized to do business in this State in 1892. Of these companies four 
were home incorporations and twenty-five were foreign, namely, five Con- 
necticut, nine New York, one each Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, 
Vermont, Wisconsin, California, INebraska, Ohio and Maine and two Penn- 
sylvania incorporations. 

The total number of life policies in force December 31, 1893, was 38,302. 
The total amount of life insurance in force at that date was $78,35(^022. 
The total premiums received during the year 180] was !^2,237,42r).S)J} 
Amount of losses paid, !i!6r)9,923.<)9. 

DEVELOPHENT OF WEALTH. 

Iowa, in regard to her rank in the accumulation of wealth, occupies a 
position of which her citizens may well be proud. In the census of 1850 
thirty-two of the thirty-three States then forming the Union exceeded Jier 
in wealth, pe7' capita; a fact that at once proves that her pioneers were men 
in very moderate circumstances. In the census returns of 1860 thirty of 
the thirty-six States of the Union exceeded Iowa in per capita wealth. In 
1870 Iowa had reduced the gap between her place in 1800 and the head of 
the list by passing ten of the thirty states that had outranked her in this 
particular in 18(50. In 1880 she had sur|)assed others until by the census of 
tiiat year, but six states east of the Hocky Mountains exceeded her; and but 
live in the Union, namely. New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and 
.'Massachusetts outranked her in aggregate wealth. In this respect Iowa is 
still gaining, and in the past twelve years has outstripped others of her 
sister states in the development of wealth, per capita. That Iowa has 
enjoyed such material prosperity and that her people are iu thriving eun- 
ilitiuu are facts which we gladly record. 

A HISTORIC RESUHE. 

Sixty years ago, a space of time embraceil in the life of men yet active 
in business, Iowa was devoid of the essentials of a civilized State. There 
was not a charitable institution, public building, postofilce, churcli, sciiooj, 
mill, bridge, orchard, farm, or scarcely a sipiatter's cabin or barn witliin its 
boundaries. The whole region was then traverstdl onlv bv Indians. The 



do HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

only dwellings, save a few cabins in Lee county, being the tepee or 
wigwam. The means of interior transportation in aid of trade, were the 
shouldere of the squaw, the Indian pony or canoe, or the pack horse of au 
occasional venturesome hunter. 

Consider further the greatness of the change made in these three score 
years, a mere hand- breadth of time in the life of a nation. Look at the 110,- 
000 miles of broad, largely well constructed, open highways, with their 
innumerable culverts sfnd thousands of substantial bridges which now carry 
those highways across oiu- streams, furnishing ready means of communica- 
tion and transportation to all. Look at the 215,000 grand farms in Iowa, 
with their barns and other outbuildings, many of them costly structures; 
the grand pastures flecked with feeding herds and flocks of noblest blood 
and finest form; the spacious orchards and gardens of fruit, the statel}"- 
artificial groves which grace those fine farm homes. View the 370,000 
family dwellings, the homes of comfort and elegance of our two millions of 
intelligent, Christian citizens, thousands of those homes being spacious 
dwelling places, palatial in architecture, luxurious in furniture, and roj'al 
in their surroundings. Then view the beautiful prosperous towns and 
cities which have sprung up as though thrown forth by magic all over our 
broad prairies; and the shops, the mills, the mines, the manufacturing plants, 
the bazaars of trade, teeming with life and activity, the halls of art, the pub- 
lic schools, with their 13,275 fine school houses, the private and parochial 
schools, the academies, seminaries, normal schools, colleges, technical and 
professional schools and the universities which now give grace and culture 
to our social life. Extend your vision and take in the 4,500 church edifices 
many of them majestic temples, standing everywhere .with open doors, 
inviting all to enjoy their sanctifying associations. Then look further at 
the noble charitable and reformatory institutions, the great schools and 
asylums for our unfortunate classes, our homes for the maimed, the infirm 
and the poor. View these and consider that all have been constructed and 
are maintained either by means voluntarily donated or by taxation which 
has been generously and freely voted. Then consider that in addition to the 
outlays essential to the construction, maintenance and improvement of the 
institutions mentioned our people have made a large accumulation of private 
wealth. Surely such gains attest not only that Iowa has an industrious, 
economical citizenship, hut also that her generous sail has great wealth 
producing power. 

THE DEMONSTRATiaN OF FiailRES 

We are not left merely to rhetorical statement to express the growth of 
wealth in this inland State. The rapid increase in valuation of taxable 
property in Iowa shows an almost incompreliensible growth of wealth. In 
1850, 13,732,000 acres of land were assessed for taxation. Its average 
assessed value was but .f3-..54 per acre, and the aggregate valuation $48,611,- 
280, the total valuation for the purpose of taxation tliat year being -f 58,007,- 
121. This was only two score and three years. 

In 1860, 24,386,217 acres were assessed for taxation, their aggregate 
value being .$12:3,447,181 or $5.08 per acre. The valuation of personal 
property assessed that year was $30,147,858. The total aggregate assessed 
valuation in 1860 was $153,539,116. 



A HISTORIC RESUHE. 6i> 

In 1870, 3o,018,604 acres of land were assessed for taxation. Of this 
amount only 9,309,467 wero reported as improved land. The average 
assessed value per acre was |.")..">0, and the aggregate valuation $181,881,953, 
while the total taxable valuation that year had reached $294,o32,25(),the real 
wealth in the State had according to the United States census, grown to the 
sum of $717',644,7o0. 

In 1880 the aggregate value of taxable property within the State had 
grown to the sum of 1409,819,020, the area of assessed lands being 34,- 
oG9,858 acres. Only 19,8(30,514 acres, or little more than one-half the area of 
the State, were reported as improved lands, but the average taxable valuation 
of the lands that year was $7.11 per acre. 

In 1890 the taxable lands had increased to 34,734.579 acres, and their 
valuation to .$272,847,509, which was an average of $7.85 per acre, the total 
taxable valuation in the State that year being $523,862,858. 

But these remarkable figures fall far short of showing the true growth 
of wealth in this prosperous State. The flight of time has not been more 
rapid than has been the advance in all lines of improvement, in labor saving 
machinery, modes of transportation, and business facilities. Railways^ 
telegraphs and telephones have extended their conveniences and industrial 
inspiration through every county. Hamlets have grown into thriving towns 
and thrifty towns have developed into large and prosperous cities. Yet as 
wealth has grown the ratio of the taxable to the true value of property has 
been reduced. The assessments in 1850 and 1880 were nearer the true value 
of property than were the assessed values of 1890. AVe give a few instances 
in support of this statement. 

In 1870 cattle were assessed at an average of $12.67 per head, in 1890 at 
only $7.11. 

In 1870 horses were assessed at an average value of $42.67 per head, in 
1890 at $25.64. 

In 1870 swine were assessed at an average value of $3.09 per head, in 
1890 at $1.64. 

Nearly the same reduction in ratios of the assessed, to the true values,, 
has obtained in all lines of property. As shown above, the average assessed 
value of lands throughout the State was $5.50 per acre in 1870. Then there 
were but 9,369,467 acres of land, or only one-fourth of the area of the State, 
reported as improved lands. In 1880 the improved land had more than 
doubled in area, being that year reported as 19,866,541 aci-es. The value of 
the improvements on the land had largely increased. In 1870 we had but 
2,683 miles of railroad, in 1890 there were 8,436 miles, traversing every 
county in the State. While land has increased several times (a hundred per 
cent.) in value, its assessed valuation has only increased from an average of 
$5.50 to $7.85. 

Well informed judges of property-value in this State believe that the 
present taxable valuation does not exceed twenty per cent, of the real value 
of the property of the people. Taking this figure as a factor in the calcu- 
lation, it will be seen that the real value of property is now in excess of 
$2,700,000,000. In the brief period of sLxty years property values have 
grown from nothing to the immense sum named. 



62 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



It is worthy of mention in this place that this vast aggregate of wealth 
has been developed from the soil of Iowa. None of these thousands of 
millions have been washed from glittering ri^er beds. Iowa has scores of 
" sunny fountains " but none of them 

" Roll down their golden sands." 

Nor have any of these millions been mined from argentiferous or aurif- 
erous rocks, in which hundreds of golden millions lie, awaiting the work- 
man with his picks and drills; they have been won almost solely in agri- 
cultural pursuits. The tillers of the soil and herdsmen have been their 
chief producers, and the plow, the harrow and the corn cultivator, the 
mower and the reaper the chief implements used in their acquisition. 

The healthfulness of Iowa for man and beast, through the earlier as well 
as the later years of its settlement has had important bearing on this gain of 
wealth. Iowa has ever been rightfully recognized as a healthy State. 

COMPARATIVE GROWTH OF POPULATION AND WEALTH. 

"W'e take the following figures from the returns of the several enumer- 
ations of population and wealth made in Iowa by the National Census 
authorities, placing the same in concisely tabulated form, not only to pre- 
sent still more clearly, if posssble, the fact of the great development of 
wealth, but also to show how the growth of wealth has outran the growth of 
population in the history of the State. 

The first national census in Iowa was the sixth of the countr\'. It was 
taken in 1840. The population of the territorj' was then returned as 43,113 
persons. Of the real wealth of the territory at the time of that census we 
are not informed. 

COMPARATIVE GROWTH OF POPULATION AND W^EALTH. 



TEARS. 


POPULATION. 


PER CT. INCREASE. 


TRUE WTEALTH. 


WEALTH PER CAPITA 


1850 
1860 
1870 

1880 
1890 


192,-214 

.574,913 

1,194,75-J 

I,li24,6l5 

l,911.8--i« 


288. 
251. 

9ti.91 

36. 

17. 


$ 23,714,638 

247,338,-,'li5 

717,644.750 

1,721,000,000 

2,700,000,000 


$ 123.39 

366.46 

640.89 

1,059.00 

1,412.00 



The fact that this development of wealth has come from the areable 
fields, the pastures and meadows of Iowa, and that it has been developed 
while large areas of the State have been but sparsely settled, and while 
but little more than one-half of its area has been " tickled with the plow," 
unmistakably demonstrates the excellence of her soil, the richness and 
healthfulness of her sunshine, the fertilizing potency of the rains that fall 
upon her lands, and its pre-eminence as a field for successful agricultural 
industry. Such vast development of wealth in a State of the population, 
area and age of Iowa, having neither ocean commerce, nor great fisheries, 
norZ forests, nor rich bonanzas of precious metals, will ever be one of the 
marvels of history. 

FINANCE AND TAXATION. 



Iowa is in happy financial condition. The State has an elegant, 
commodious, solid Capitol of stately proportions, located in the city of Des 
Moines on a commanding site. It has numerous other public buildings 



FINANCE AND TAXATION. 63 

providing accommodatious and educational advantages for unfortunate 
classes, as the blind, doaf and dumb, the feeble minded; reformatory schools 
for the unruly of both sexes, insane asj'lums, orphans home, a home for 
aged and needy veterans, penitentiaries for the punishment of criminals, 
the Normal school. Agricultural college and State university. All these great 
properties have been built up and millions paid for their maintenance. All 
expenses for State government have been met, yet taxation has been low — 
the assessed valuation has ever been far below the cash value of property. 
Taxation for all purposes has been less than one per cent, on the true value 
of property; and yet Iowa occupies the proud position occupied by only 
three other States in the American Union, of having no State debt either 
bonded or floating. According to the figures given in Census Bulletin No. 
C4, its total debt, State and county, in 1890 was but !|1.91 per capita. In 
1880 it was -f 2.10; a pleasing reduction for the ten years. On the ninth page 
that bulletin shows that only three of the States of the Union have a less 
State and county indebtedness per capita, namely Vermont, $.46; Rhode 
Island, $1.22 and West Virginia $1.81, while the State and county indebted- 
ness of the States adjoining Iowa range from $2.21 to %\0.0A: per capita. 
The average State and county indebtedness for the States of the Union is 
$5.83. Although the cry, that the farmers of Iowa are overwhelmed by a 
mortgage indebtedness, is raised by uninformed persons, there are but few 
farmers in Iowa distressed on that account. It cannot be expected that in a 
new State, in which within the twenty years last past so great an area has been 
improved and such great improvements in farm homes, schools, roads, business 
structures and machinery have been made, that there would be no debt con- 
tracted, but that there has in the ten j^ears last past, been a rapid reduction of 
the mortgage indebtedness against the people of Iowa, is a fact not only shown 
by the census of 1890, but one well known to all intelligent observers. The 
reduction in the three years that have elapsed since the taking of the last 
■census has been very large. The prosperity of the people during those 
years has been unequaled in any previous period in the history of this, or 
any other State. 

On page 7, Census Bulletin No. 16, census of 1890, the mortgage indebt- 
edness on the farms of Iowa is given at $149,457,141. The total mortgage 
indebtedness on the entire reality within the State being $199,774,171. The 
whole number of mortgages on farms was 171,441. Considering each as a 
first mortgage, then the figures indicate the number of farms mortgaged. 
The average amount of these mortgages was $876. The records however 
do not show the fact that many of them were nearly paid, and that on others 
the debt secured was largely reduced by payment made thereon, but not 
shown on the record. Nor do they show the fact that the major part of these 
mortgages were given for purchase money on lands, or to raise money to 
buy more lands, to improve lands or to purchase stock where-by more money 
might be made on lands occupied. Estimating the farms covered by those 
171,441 mortgages at eighty acres each, then we have 13,715,220 acres of 
mortgaged land. Further estimating their average value at $25 per acre, a 
moderate estimate, and we have for their total value the sum of $342,882,- 
000, — certainly a good security for the sums owed; while there remains 
22,000,000 acres of farm lands free from mortgage with upwards of $208,- 
't)00,000 of live stock, the increase of which is applicable to the reduction of 



64 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

this indebtedness. It should not be forgotten that the dairy and poultry 
products alone would wipe out the mortgage indebtedness on Iowa farms 
within two years. The farmers of Iowa may not do all of their business on 
a cash basis but they certainly do it on a very safe one. The large sums 
held on deposit by the banks, as shown in the chapter on "Banks and Bank- 
ing," much of which is money made on Iowa farms and subject to check 
by Iowa farmers, shows that very many of the farmers are money lenders 
rather than borrowers. 

The assessments of real and personal propertv for purposes of taxation 
are made by local authorities, each civil township and incorporated town 
and the several wards in cities electing the assessors. Personal property is 
assessed each year and real property biennially. The township trustees 
and town and city councils, the country boards of supervisors and the 
Executive Council of the State constitute boards of equalization. The 
Executive Council assesses the railroads, telegraph and telephone lines. 

Taxes are low when compare's with the true valvie of property. The 
valuations of property for taxation as equalized by the several boards for 
the year 1890 were reported by Plon. J. A. Lyons, State Auditor, as follows : 

Lands, 34,734,579 acres and town lots $374,753,113 

Personal property 105,543,264 

Railroad property 42,962,264 

Telegraph companies 502,874 

Telephone companies 102,000 

Total taxable valuation $523,862,858 

The lands within the State were assessed at $8.18 per acre ; cattle at 
17.11 per head; horses $26.46; mules $28.80; sheep $1.18, and swine at 
$1.64. Cattle, horses and mules under one year old and sheep and swine 
under six montns are not listed or valued for taxation. 

The taxes levied for the year 1890 were reported by the State Auditor 
as follows : 

For purposes ot State government $1,207,872.85 

For county purposes 5,107,000.27 

For insane fund 348,098.27 

For support of common schools 6,021,758.68 

For municipal government 2,405,156.65 

For special purposes 384,098.27 

Total $15,563,974.04 

Taking the estimate of the real value of property within the State at 
the moderate figure of $2,700,000,000, the taxes levied for the year for all 
purposes aggregated the small figure of .71 of one per cent. The interest 
on county and municipal indebtedness, and provisions for sinking funds 
are provided for in the taxes levied as above given. In no State in the 
Union are the people less burdened with taxation. 

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVENESS. 

Iowa has world wide fame for its agricultural productiveness. Its soil 
produces all the standard grains, grasses, vegetables and fruits, successfully 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVENESS. 



65 



grown north of the Ohio river. Tiic tigures required to express the vast 
production of grains, vegetables, meats and fruits within this region are of 
surprising magnitude, but the capabilities of Iowa's thirty-five millions of 
acres to produce foods are yet uncomprehended. With the cultivation of 
her yet unimproved acres, better drainage of her wet lands and the more 
perfect cultivation of her areable tields, meadows and orchards the products 
of this superlatively fine farming region will have a wonderful increase. 

Iowa does not ow^e the greatness of her food productiveness to the 
extent of her area. In this regard she has but 20th place in the list of the 
States of the Union. ^Michigan, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, 
Missouri and Illioois, her near kin in locality and climate, all outrank her 
in this particular. Compared with Texas and California, she ranks respect- 
ively as one to five and three. In respect to population Iowa has but tenth 




■^-li:: 



FLAX PALACE, FOREST CITY, IOWA. 

place in the rank of States. She also held the tenth place in 1880, in respect 
to persons engaged in agricultural occupation, so that her larger agricultural 
productiveness is to be found in other causes than the greater number of 
her agricultural hiborers or her larger area. In the census just referred to, 
this State ranked fifth in the number of farms, sixth in the jiroduction of 
wheat, sixth in the production of potatoes, fourth in the production of bar- 
ley, second in the production of Indian corn, second in the production of 
oats, second in the production of hay, second in the production of all grains, 
third in respect to the number of horses, second in respect to the number of 
cattle, and first in respect to the number of swine. Although this State then 
ranked second in the production of all grains, second in the production of 
beef animals, and first in the production of swine, only 19,866,5-41, or a trifle 



66 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

more than one-half of her thirty-five million acres were reported as being 
improved. Iowa, then largely unimproved, was outranked by only three 
other States in the total value of her agricultural productions. The four 
leading States compared then as follows : 

STATES. VALUE OP AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT. 

Illinois $203,980,137.90 

New York 178,025,695.00 

Ohio 156,737,152.00 

Iowa 136,103,473.00 

The above schedule clearl}' establishes the fact that an agricultural 
laborer in Iowa's climate and working Iowa soil effects larger production 
than an agricultural laborer in any other climate and any other State of the 
Union. This one fact accounts for its unequalled development of wealth. 

In the annual report of the National Department of Agriculture for 
1888, Iowa is placed second in the list of States in the production of pota- 
toes, her production that year being over 16,000,000 bushels. New York 
alone led Iowa in this important crop; but the reported yield per acre in 
Iowa, largely exceeded that of New York. 

The same high authority gave Iowa for the same year second place in 
the production of hay, her production being 5,972,783 tons. The crop of New 
York, the only State then leading Iowa was 5,462,667 tons, or only 143,984 
tons more than the product of Iowa. 

The National Department of Agriculture reported that 9,506,716 acres 
of Iowa farms in 1891 were cultivated in "corn," and reported their aggregate 
products at 350,878,000 — an excess of over 115,993,000 bushels over our neigh- 
boring State on the east, then the second in rank in the corn producing states. 
If corn is "king" then surely Iowa is the prime province of his kingdom. 

Since 1886 Iowa has been the largest corn producing State in the Union. 
No region on this earth of the same area furnishes such vast production of 
this most important cereal. The production of corn in Iowa for the years 
1888, 1889, 1890 and 1891, according to the report of the National Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, aggregated 1,221,305,000 bushels, or an average of 34,- 
563,753 acres. This is an average production for the four years of 33.4 
bushels per acre. A few special yields of this cereal in this famous corn 
State may properly be mentioned in this connection. 

In the winter of 1890-1 Mr. Henry Wallace, editor of the Homestead, an 
agricultural paper published in Des Moines, offered three prizes for the 
best three acres of corn grown within the State in the season of 1891. It 
will be noticed that the competitors came from nine counties, these counties 
covering one-half of the State from south to north. 

Wm. M. Husted, Des Moines, Polk County 364 bu., and 65 lbs 

James Pemble, Wapello, Louisa " 315 " 65 lbs 

J . W. Rvnearson, Yorktown, Page " 300 " 5 lbs 

A. F. White, DeWitt, Clinton " 291 

Frank Wright, Anamosa, Jones " 285 " 34 lbs 

A. D. Belknap, Amber, Jones " 217 " 55 lbs 

A. D. Zimmerman, Avoca, Pottawattamie Countv 277 " 20 lbs 

A. D. Irving, Madrid, Boone " ' 270 " 3 lbs 

J. H. DeFord, 3It. Sterling, Van Buren " 269 " 30 lbs 

J. C. Frazey, Shelby, Shelby " 262 " 14 lbs 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVENESS. 



67 



The largest yield was 115 bushels and 43 pounds per acre, the smallest 
87 bushels and 18 pounds per acre, for the three acres. 

The immense importance of the corn crop in Iowa agriculture is evident 
to all. Secretary Shaifer of the State Agricultural Society in the rei)ort for 
1801 said: "Iowa's single product of corn is worth more than the entire 
output of all the gold and silver mines of all the states combined." 

President Harrison in returning from his journey to the Pacific coast, 
having seen the land of "the orange and the palm," and having reached on 
that return the great fields of "golden ears," in his address at Omaha, said : 

"I have seen the orange groves and all the fruits which enrich and 
characterize the state of California. I have seen the summit cities whose 
mining camps are on the peaks where the men are delving into the earth 
to bring out the rich stores there ; but I return again to the land of the corn 
stalk with an affection that I cannot describe. I am sure those friends who 
have delighted us with visions of loveliness and prosperity will excuse me 
if my birth and earlier training in Ohio and Indiana leads me to the con- 
clusion that the states that grow corn are the greatest states in the world." 

The directors of the Iowa State Agricultural Society in their report for 
1891, by their Secretary, Hon. Jno. R. ShafEer, present the following table 
estimating the agricultural products for Iowa for that year and their values : 



AGRICULTtTRAL PRODUCT OF IOWA FOR 1891. 



Corn, bushels 

Wheat, bushels 

Oats, bushels 

Eye, bushels 

Barley, bushels 

Buckwheat, bushels 

Potatoes, Irish, bushels... 
Potatoes, sweet, bushels. . . 

<;rass seeds, estimated 

t hi.\ seed, bushels 

Hay, tame, tous 

Hay, prairie, estimated. . . . 

Brooui-corn, tons 

.Sorirhum, gallons 

Butter, pounds 

■C'lieese, pounds 

Wool 

Horses, number 

Mules, number 

Sheep, number 

Hogs, number 

Milch cows, number 

Other cattle, number 

Orchard and vine products 

Hive i)roducts 

Poultry products 

iSmall fruits 

Timber 

Miscellaneous 



3;35,031,,598 
33,1.51,488 

iir).sio,soo 

~',(>.il,400 

4,5-..>S,(i(if) 

414,000 

2.5,tieo,3.=)0 

•-jor,9oo 



3,1.')4,016 
.5,58^,800 



3,480 

2,092,485 

lfts,(i90,71o 

5,000,000 



1,312,079 
41,648 
452,000 
5,921,100 
1,278.«12 
2,680;24 



VALUE. 



100,509,479 

25,741,039 

3fi,63().484 

1,333,410 

l,8ll,4(i7 

27ti.000 

5,380;271 

207,900 

1,750.000 

2,523,212 

3=1497,340 

6,800,000 

270,. 570 

904,718 

33,73S.]5S 

4.5ll.(KKI 

30IMMKI 

91,911,133 

2,4.59.!I3'< 

l,430.r5(t 

29,475,2;i6 

23,973,975 

47,0:iS,:i47 

3,(MHI.IHM) 

,5.5(1.1 HID 

o,60<l.(MH» 

7.5(l.(HKI 

3,0<iO,(KK) 

io,ooo!ooo 



Tot«l $ 464,219,30 8 

In Iowa in 1892 there were 565,031 head of sheep, 4,011,233 head of 
cattle, and 7,105,320 head of swine and flocks innumerable of turkeys, geese, 
clucks and other barn yard fowls. At least 5,000,000 head of finely fatted 
swine were supplied for slaughter, furnishing fifteen pounds, per capita, 
of the best pork to the whole country, while at least 400,000,000 pounds of 
finest beef was furnished to the markets of the world. These figures of 



68 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

moderate estimate, are given to convey some idea of the abundance that is 
found in this most fertile region. Iowa farmers not only feed well all of 
Iowa's people, but feed also millions in other states and countries. In grain 
and meat production Iowa, but sixty years removed from a absolute wilder- 
ness State, now stands without an equal. 

THE OLDEST LEGENDS OF THE ORIGIN OF HAIZE. 

Maize (zea mays — L) derives its name from a Greek word zea, meaning 
spelt. There are many varying opinions as to its first home. It never 
occurs naturally, but is a native of all tropical America, and probably 
indigenous there. Humboldt says it is an American Plant. Some older 
writers, however, claim that it originally came from Asia, going thence to 
America, from which country it was first brought into Europe. Gerard in 
the "Herbal" written in 1597, calls it "Turkey Corn," and says, "This kind 
ot grain was first brought into Spain, and thence into other provinces of 
Europe, out of Asia, which is in the Turke's Dominions, as also out of A merica." 
No corn is found in Egyptian tombs, but the plant is represented in an 
ancient Chinese Book in the French Library at Paris. There is a variety 
known in Chili, (Zea Curaguai which has small grains, some of which are 
often found in tombs. The Chilians are superstitious about these, as they 
split so as to image a cross on their inner surface. This corn is called Curu 
in Quichua, and it is to the kind suggestion of the great Americanist, Count 
de Charencey, that I owe the statement that many similar names are given 
to rice in various Asiatic tongues, probably referring to the small eared 
corn, (Cha-rang, among the Kodongs of Nepaul, Chasrak in Chuugthangy^ 
Sila in Nachhereng, Sera in Chourasya, and Seri in Kolungya.) These 
facts, heretofore unnoticed, so far as I know, would seem to indicate the 
Asiatic origin of the grain. Several tribes of the Nepaul hills call Sorghum, 
Alazyi. 

But we may find a legend of Asiatic origin to account for maize, which, 
however foolish it may seem in its details, is significant, as indicating a 
knowledge of this plant at an early period. The legend is from the Monek 
Maya, a Javanese legendary poem of unknown date. It relates that the body 
of a certain maiden who died from the too ardent embrace of her pursuing lover, 
Sang Yang Guru, (the personification of man) was buried in a wood; from 
the head, sprang the cocoanut; from the hands, the plantain tree; and from 
the teeth, Indian corn or Maize. 

This legend, referring the origin of corn to the teeth of the buried 
w^oman, carries us back to the antique fable of the armed men springing 
from the dragon's teeth, and it is a curious fact that in central Illinois the 
sharp kernelled variety is popularly known as " Horse-tooth corn." 

We may, however, find legends among the American Indians which 
bear a close resemblance to the old Javanese story of the origin of corn. 
Dr. Brinton relates an Iroquois myth of loshkea, the dawn-hero, one of the 
great American culture-heroes, which accounts for the appearance of Maize 
among the Indian tribes. The heavens are here said to have been peopled 
by a race of supernatural beings, and one of these a woman, Atalensie, fell 
through the sky. As a result of her fall, being pregnant, she died, after one 
of her twins loshkea, had burst from her arm pit into the world. Her body 



THE OLDEST LEGENDS OF THE ORIGIN OF MAIZE. 69 

was buried, aud from it sprang the vegetables; from the head, the pumpkin; 
from the breast, maize, (hence the milk;) and from the limbs, the beau. 

"We ma)- also have a key to both of these myths, which seem to express 
the operations of nature in promoting the growth of so beneficial a plant. 
As Dr. Brinton saj's, plainly expressed, "The sense of the story is that the 
orb of light moves daily over the water {Atalensic, sea, water) preceeded by 
its child, loshkea, (light, dawn.) 

Still another legend, from a different tribe, ascribes the origin of corn 
to the body of a woman. This Cherokee myth is reported by James Mooney. 
Two boys, one the child of a hunter living at Looking Glass ^Mountain 
(Tsuwaklda) in North Carolina, the other issuing from the water, from the 
blood poured into it by the hunter, kill the hunter's wife because she was 
a witch, they having seen her rub corn out of her body. She tells them: 
"When you have killed me, clear a large piece of ground in front of the 
house, and drag my body seven times around the circle. Then drag me 
seven times over the ground inside of the circle, and staj- up all night and 
M-atch, and in the morning you will have plenty of corn." They kill her 
with clubs, cut off her head, and set it on the tent-pole, then clear away the 
ground. Instead of all of it, they only clear seven little spots, and this is 
why corn onty grcws in certain parts of the world. Then the}^ drafi: the 
body of Nela around the' circle, and where her blood falls, corn springs up. 
Instead of dragging it about seven times, they do so twice, and this is why 
the Indian only works his crop twice. In the morning, the crop is ripe. 

Instead of the body of a mortal, the body of an animal has been substi- 
tuted in an Osage legend, reported by Rev. ,T. O. Dorsey. In this tradition, 
four Buffalo bulls came by, and as each rolls upon the ground he dropped 
from his left hind leg an ear of corn and a pumpkin: red corn came from the 
first, spotted from the second, black from the third, and white from the 
fourth. Therefore, when a child is named in the Tsicu Gens, the head man 
of that Gens takes a grain of each kind of corn, and a slice of each variety 
of pumpkin, which he puts into the mouth of the infant. 

The early Spanish conquerers found the native tribes here in possession 
of this esculent vegetable, which sustains life among so many indigenous 
tribes of our Hemisphere. They endeavored to find the history of its origin. 
As might be expected, they found nothing but legends to account for this, 
as well as other plants. One of them is given bj' Brasseur de Bourbourg, 
from a Caqciquel manuscript of Mexico. It is a legend of the creation. 
The primitive Gods of Mexico and the world becoming discouraged for lack 
of food, Queatzalcoatl, the culture hero, decided to visit the interior of the 
country and of distant lands, to find some alimentary food. The legend 
relates that he found some of the people of a distant countrj- bearing stalks 
of maize, which he received from them, and brought back to the ^lexican 
valley. The region was called " Paxil Calaya'', the jilace of divided waters, 
to a hill known as "Touacatapetl ", "or the hill of our Subsistence." It has 
been named as a sort of Terrestrial paradise, says the Abbe, throughout.all 
antique America. 

Another Mexican mj'th reported by Sahagun, relates not to the origin, 
but to the mysterious connection of maize with the Gods. Tezcatlipoca, 
disguised as an old woman, parches maize, and the odor of the savory corn 



;o HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

attracts the Toltecs, whom she then destroys. One of the names of Quetz- 
alcoatl was Ce-acatl, "one reed", a corn stalk (possibly phallic also). A day 
in the Mexican calendar was named after him, and this day, Ce-acatl, was a 
most unlucky one, as he was the God of Storms. Persons born on this 
corn-stalk day would lose their possessions by having them blown away. 

In Aztec, elotl is milky corn, mumnehtl ripe corn in the ear, tlaxcaeli 
corn cakes, and atoeli hasty-pudding. Centestl is the Mexican Maize 
Goddess, and sometimes bears a corn-stalk in her hand. A stalk of grain 
carried by a bird headed Deity, signified the winds. South American In- 
dians, and those of Central America, also know the value of maize. Many 
of them use it as food, but more ferment it as a sort of beer. Sometimes 
it is mixed with other substances, such as quinoa seeds, to make a fer- 
mented drink. D'Orbigny says the Guarany Indians of Brazil attribute the 
discovery of maize to Tamaui, a Culture hero. 

A Quichua legend, according to Comara, relates that Con, son of the 
Sun and the Moon, gave maize to man. 

One of the four Maya Gods (Bacubs) was Hobnil, the Belly. His 
habitat was the South, and he was of the color of ripe yellow corn, and 
was favorable and propitious to man. Stalks of maize-colored red wei-e 
expressive of generative force. The spirit of the South brought maize to 
the Iriquois. 

Mr. A. M. Stephens relates the following curious legend of the Suake 
order of the Moquis Indians. Many years ago, several bachelor brothers 
lived together in a house. Their names were, in the order of their ages, 
Red Corn, Blue Corn, Yellow Corn, Green Corn, Spotted Corn, and Black 
Corn. When the last attained his majority, the others told him to find a 
bride. He was dissatisfied at this, not knowing where to find a suitable 
one. He started out (jn a journey with four feather plume sticks and a bag 
of sand meal. Pie finally came to a stream by a lake, where he was told hy 
Dawa, the sun- chief, to throw his plume sticks into the water. They im- 
mediately grew into a raft on which he embarked. He came to Napa Tcua 
(Big Rattlesnake) after a four days sail, his raft again becoming plume 
sticks, after wafting him ashore. A snake fiend approached him, and gaye 
him a bag and stick. His name here changes suddenly to Kueteat-ri-yi 
(White Corn), without any assignable cause. Finally, after manj'^ miracles 
have been performed by the aid of the bag and stick, he arrived in the 
presence of the Snake King, where he obtained a beautiful bride, first 
obtaining a snake skin dress for nimself. He then learned the many songs 
and ritual still practiced by this gens of the tribe. After this, he returned 
to the South, with his wife Tcua-wati. 

Among all the Indian tribes of the Southwest, corn has a peculiar sig- 
nificance. Its connection with their religious ceremonials will be alluded 
to again. 

Schoolcraft, who chronicaled many Indian legends now unattainable, 
relates the following "Algic" story of the advent of maize. 

Kitchimonedo (the Creator) first made men who looked like men, but 
were really worthless. He put them and the world into a great lake, and 
drowned them. From the w-ater he then made a very handsome young man 
and afterwards he sent a sister to live with him, as he was lonesome. After 



THE OLDEST LEGENDS OF THE ORIGIN OF HAIZE. 



some years, this j'oung- man had a dream, after which he tokl his sister 
"Five young men will come to your lodge door this night to visit you. The 
Great Spirit forbids you to answer or even look up and smile on the first 
four, but when the fifth comes, you may speak and laugh, and show that 
you are pleased." She acted accordingly. The first of the five strangers 
who called was Itsaman, meaning tobacco, and on being repulsed, he fell 
down and died, Wapako, or pumpkin, was next. Eshkorsiiii, the melon, 
third, and fourth Kokseels, the bean. All these perished, but when Tamin, 
or Montauiu (Maize), presented himself he was admitted. From the union 
of the maiden and Montaniu sprang the Indian race. This legend, how- 
ever, is not so well known, as another related by Schoolemft. which, through 








.-.: :^ ^. ^^'^inTjt'is 






its being utilized by Longfellow, in his poem "fliawatha", has been wide 
spread. The legend is here given, condensed from the diffuse story as 
published. 

The son of a poor Indian hunter (in another version it is Massuamium, 
or Manalozho, the magicau), on attaining the age of fifteen, built a fasting 
lodge in the forest, and set about his task of fasting for several days, as all 
young Indians did at that age. He was a serious young man, and got to 
thinking how he could be of service to his people. On the third day, he 
became too weak to walk, and kept his bed. He fancied as he lay there 
that he saw approaching a handsome young man dressed in green with 
green plumes on his head. 



72 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

"And he saw a youth apprciachiiig 
Dressed in garments green and yellow, 
Coming through the purple twilight, 
Through the splendor of the sun-set. 
Plumes of green bent o'er his forehead 
And his hair was soft and golden." 
This yuuug mau bade him arise, weak as he was, aud wrestle with him, 
telling him that he might benefit his whole race. After three trials, each 
resulting in failure, the seventh and last daj^ of his fast came, and the 
stranger returned to a final struggle. He told the young man that he would 
prevail, and then instructed him what to do. Let the poet again speak : 
"Make a bed for me to lie in, 
Where the rain may fall upon me, 
Where the sun may shine and warm me: 
Strip the garments, green and yellow, 
Strip this nodding plumage from me; 
Lay me in the earth and make it 
Soft and loose and light above me, 
Let no hand disturb my slumber. 
Let no weed nor worm molest me, 
Let not Kahgahgee, the raven. 
Come to haunt me and molest me." 
The young man, as the story goes, obeyed this injunction and carefully 
buried his opponent after he had conquered him. He still kept the 
secret, partook sparingly of food, and tended the grave, keeping it inviolate: 
'' Till at length a small green feather 
From the earth shot slowly upward, 
Then another and another, 
And, before the Summer ended. 
Stood the Maize in all its beauty, 
With its shining robes about U, 
And the Ions, soft yellow tresses, 
And m rapture Hiawatha 
Cried aloud, It is Mondamin, 
Yes, the friend of man, Mondamin." 
Schoolcraft, who gives in this beautiful tale in prose-guise, almost as 
the poet has made it, says of Mon-da-min, "It is^the spirit grain." I cannot 
forbear quoting the closing lines of the poem which appeals to every West- 
ern man from the Corn Belt : 

"And still later, when the Autumn 
Changed the long green leaves to yellow. 
And the soft and juicy kernels 
Grew like wampum hard and yellow, 
Then the ripened ears he gathered. 
Stripped the withered husks from off them 
As he once had stripped the wrestler. 
Gave the tirst feast of Mondamin 
And made known unto the people 
This new gift of the Great Spirit." 
Many of the Indian tribes had, and some still have, extended religious 
ceremonies connected with corn. Several have a Green Corn Dance, some 
a dance at corn planting, and others at the harvest time, while corn or its 
products are used in nearly all the ceremonies of some of the tribes of the 
Southwest. 

The Chahta-Muscogees of Florida held their Busk or Green Corn 
Dance when the corn was just old enough to use. They then held a feast 
of several days. 



THE OLDEST LEGENDS OF THE ORIGIN OF MAIZE. 73 

Hawkins, au early traveler, describes it. Several purging plants were 
used, and an elaborate dance was held. 

Among the Iroquois, the Green Corn Dance was preceeded by a four 
day's hunt, during which the corn was parched by the squaws. At the end 
of this time, a feast was held, and the especial feature was that of gambling, 
in which all indulged, as well as partaking of the pudding of corn, beans and 
bear's meat. 

Seven days were given up to the corn planting feast; the first four were 
spent in council, all the chiefs making boastful speeches in turn. On the 
fifth daj% the chiefs took hold of a belt of wampum, and made a sort of a 
lame confession of their sins. On the sixth day the other warriors did the 
same, and on the seventh, there was a featlier dance — quite an elaborate 
ceremonial — and a feast of dog-meat. 

At Corn gathering, the last public feast of the year, corn tassels, silks, 
and leaves were worn as ornaments by the dancers. 

Among the Seminoles, and other Southern tribes, the Green Corn Dance 
■was a great event. 

The Omahas have a Hunting Feast in which, after a Buffalo hunt, they 
have a certain formula of songs, which reproduce in mimicr\- the growth of 
maize. These songs are called: 1. I clear the land. 2. I put in corn. 
■3. The corn comes up. 4. It has blades. 5. The ears appear. 6. The 
ears have hair on. 7. At length we try the corn to see if it is ripe. 8. At 
length it is ripe. 9. At length we pull the ear from the stalk. 10. At 
length we husk the ear. 11. At length we shell the corn. 12. At length 
we eat the corn. A feast follows these songs. 

All the various colors and kinds of corn have different names among 
these and other Indian tribes. The Omaha names are, Wata zi-ska, white 
•corn; Waia-zi-sko, blue corn; Wata-zi-zi, j-ellow corn; Wata-zi yscije, 
spotted corn; Wata-zi-tsijde, reddish blue; Wata-zi-jiveghi, red; "Wata-uyaau, 
figured yellow and red stripes; Wachstya, sweet corn. 

The Hopi, or Moqui Indians of Arizona, in making certain rounds, re- 
quired by their religious ceremonies, use corn-meal, w-hich is sacred in the 
Southwest among many tribes, sprinkling it on the sand. Ears of corn are 
also placed at the extremities of lines drawn to the four points of the com- 
pass, with the tips pointing in. Meal is also sprinkled to these cardinal 
points. The corn is afterward washed by the priest. 

Among the Tusaj-ans, in the same neighborhood, corn is even more 
extensivelv used in religious observances. Corn husks fillets are worn on 
the heads of the novices and meal plentifully scattered on the shrines. The 
novices carry corn in their hands at certain times during a dance, and a 
quantity of corn is shelled, the kernels being stuck all over clay images. 
The standard of one of the clans has corn plumes at the top, and the helmets 
of two of these men are made of a mosaic of split corn ears. A magic altar 
was made and at its six corners and sides, corn, feathers, and pebbles were 
laid, always keeping the colors as here indicated for the corn: 

1. Northwest, yellow corn. 

2. North, black corn. 

3. Northeast, white corn. 

4. Southeast, red corn. 
3. South, sweet corn. 

6. Southwest, blue corn. 



74 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Among the Navajos, coru meal is also used in sacred ceremonies. It 
is sprinkled on the sand-pictures made in these ceremonies, carried in fawn 
skin bags by carriers of sacred heralds, and used by them in incantations. 
The priest who instructs them says, " Sprinkle meal across a little valley, 
across a big arroyo, across the roots of a tree sprinkle meal, and then you 
ma\' step over. Sprinkle meal on a flat rock." 

In the mythical journey taken by the ancestors of these Indians, they 
came to the first Corn Palace — a house built of corn pillars, with a door of 
daylight, a ceiling supported by four spruce trees, and rainbows over the 
house. Corn meal and pollen formed their food here. The account of this 
is given by Dr. AVashington Matthews. 

In the ceremony commemorative of this journey, some sick person is 
usually introduced, to be cured by the rites of the Hoshkamn dance. This 
sick person carries corn meal, and sits in a sand picture, where a corn stalk 
is drawn. This corn stalk is in the hands of a white bodied figure, repre- 
senting the Southeast — the symbolism of color always being carefully pre- 
served. A corn cake baked in a hole in the heated earth is given to the 
attendant priests during the ceremonies. The white bodied figure alluded 
to above is accompanied by three others typifying the bean, the pumpkin 
and the tobacco, the four sacred plants. Among the Zunies, meal is also 
sacred in many ceremonies. A pinch of it forms the heart of a dummy 
rabbit used in the Kok-ko iniation, as described by Mrs. Stephenson. 

The novices, as they come from the north, present yellow corn to the 
priests. Those from the West, blue corn. Those from the South, red, and 
those from the East, white. 

In. the Navajo prayer to the Gods, the priest says, "I give to you food 
of corn pollen, etc." 

One of the Tusayuu Gens is the corn Gens. The 4th Gens of the 
Moquis, the 7th of the Zunis, the 5th of the San Felipe Puebloes, the 6th of 
the Santana Puebh), the 9th of the Cochiti, the 1st of the Isleta, the 3rd of 
the Jemez and the 4th of the Zia Pueblo, are all Corn Gentes, according to 
Capt. Bourke's list. 

Tradition says that corn was planted by the Navajo Chiefs in the prim- 
itive migrations, and that it would grow by night of the same day. The 
stem, roots, leaves and ears are all used in the ceremonials of certain 
Gentes. 

A line of meal is spread upon the floor of the house in the dance Has- 
jalia Daljis, also on the debris from it, while the soles of the feet, the hands 
the knees, the breast, the shoulders and the head of the officiating priest. 
A deer is smothered to death as a sacrifice, and in its mouth corn pollen is 
put and a line drawn from mouth to tail ahjng the breast. Corn pollen is 
sprinkled on little balls, and on blankets used in other parts of the cere- 
mony. Meal is sprinkled in the water used on the second day of these 
ceremonies. Corn husks containing beads are placed on blankets on the 
east side of the house on the third day. Medicine tubes of corn husks, 
sprinkled with meal and pollen are also used. 

One of the mythical sand figures is composed of five grains of coru put 
on a sand bed, one white, one yellow, one blue, and two variegated ones 
arranged in quincunx order. 



THE OLDEST LEGENDS OF THE ORIGIN OF HAIZE. 75 

Corn pollen is put on the soap suds used in purification by the priests, 
and the waters are sprinkled with pollen. Dried and ground as gruel it is 
given as medicine. In the sand paintings, which are a part of these extended 
ceremonies, the stalk appears frequently. The red of the bodies means red 
corn. The goddess is clothed in corn husks, and ten ears of yellow coru 
wrapped in pinion leaves are placed at the girl's feet in certain ceremonies. 
Superstitious usages with reference to planting or harvesting corn, or 
caring for the crop, among our farmers are not abundant. The old custom 
of corn huskings celebrated by Longfellow in Evangeline and Hiawatha, is 
almost entirely in abeyance. As these lines may not be in sight, it will not 
be amiss to (juote them : 

" And whene'er some lucky maiden 

found a red ear in the huskiue;, 

Found a maize ear red at* blood is, 

Nushka cried they altogether, 

Nnslika, you shall have a sweetheart, 

You !-hall have a handsome husband." 

"And when e'er a youth or maiden 

Found a crooked ear in huskin;;, 

Bliirhted, mildewed or mis-shapen, 

Then tliey laughed and sang together. 

Crept and limped about the corn fields, 

Mimiced in their gait and gestures. 

Some old man bent almost double. 

Singing singly or together; 

Wagemin, the thief of corn fields, 

Pancosuid, who steals the maize ear !"' 
These scenes are also borrowed from Schoolcraft \vho describes them 
in much the same terms. Wagemin means " crooked," and Pamosaid, "He 
who walks", both being taken as meaning a thief in the corn field. These 
words, he said, from the basis of the cereal song, which, however, is not re- 
peated. In the same song is a description of blessing the corn field based 
on these lines of Schoolcraft. '"It was the practice of the hunter's wife, when 
the field of corn had been planted, to choose the first dark or over-clouded 
evening to perform a secret circuit sans habiliments around the field. For 
this purpose, she slipped out of the lodge in the evening, unobserved, ta 
some obscure nook where she completely disrobed, then taking her mal- 
checota, or principal garment, in her hands she dragged it around the field. 
This was thought to insure a prolific crop and topreventthe assaults of in- 
sects and worms upon the grain." 

Among Peunsj'lvania Germans, Dr. Hoffman tells us when corn and 
beans are reserved for the next year's planting, the cob, husks and stalk 
must be carried out into a field or highway and quickly destroyed. Should 
they be burned, the next crop would be attacked by the black fungus 
(Brant). 

Contributed by Lieutenant Fletcher S. Bassett, U. S. Navy, Sec'y Chi- 
cago Folk Lore Societ}', author of "Legends and Superstitions of the Sea" 
"Folk Lore Manual", etc., etc. A former resident of Burlington, Iowa. 

THE LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY. 

To show the growth and present magnitude of the live stock industry 
in Iowa we present the following table which we compile from the United 



76 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



States Census Reports and the report of the secretaiy of Agriculture, the 
figures for 1892 being given from the report last named : 



Year. 


Xo. Horses 


No. Mules. 


No. Neat 
Cattle. 


No. Swine. 


No. Sheep. 


Vahie. 


1850. ...... 

1860 

isro 

1880 

1892 


38,563 

175,088 

4:«,642 

792,322 

1,314,360 


754 

5,734 

25,425 

44,224 

41,029 


136,621 

540,088 

1,006,235 

2.612,036 

4,011,233 


.323'247 

934,820 

1,353.91)8 

6.034,310 

7,105,320 


149,960 
259,040 
855.493 
455,329 
565,031 


$ :i.iMt.2;r..m 

■ 2-.'.4:ti.-,>'.i:).()0 
S'J.llMV.l^i.'J.DO 
124,;i.").l(l3.(X) 
21 )S, 768,191. (K) 









In 1891, according to the report of Hon. J. M. Rusk, Secretaiy of Agri- 
culture, the total value of the wheat, oats and corn products and the live 
stock of the six leading states of the Union were as follows : 

IOWA. 

Grain products .f 154,269,430 

Live stock 181,9G7,670 

Total !i;336,237,100 

ILLINOIS. 

Grain products $147,843,414 

Live stock 169,151,563 



Total $316,994,977 

MISSOUKI. 

Grain products $105,800,269 

Live stock 121,217,095 



Total $227,017,364 

OHIO. 

Grain products $ 89,878,403 

Live stock 109,516,961 



Total $199,395,364 

KAXS.VS. 

Grain products $ 98,321,629 

Live stock 109,510,961 



Total $207,838,590 

INDIANA. 

Grain products $ 99,121 ,446 

Live Stock 103,255,029 



Total $202,376,475 

These tigures gleaned from the high authority named, establish the fact 
that these central prairie States are the great food pnjduciug States of the 
country, and in this respect Ljwa, though but fourth in area — Illinois, Mis- 
souri and Kansas all being larger — leads all in the value of her grain pro- 
duction, and exceeds all in the value of her live stock. With such perma- 
nent agricultural productiveness, Iowa must ever be one of the wealthiest 
States of the Union. 

In 1892 Illinois ranked first of the States in the number and value of its 
horses, and Iowa second. In the number and value of milch cows New 
York ranked first, and Iowa second. In the number and value of work oxen 
and other cattle Texas ranked first, and Iowa second. In the number .and 
value of swine Iowa ranked first and Illinois second. In the total value of 



THE LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY. 77 

live stock Iowa stands at the head, leading Illinois, the next in rank, by the 
grand sum of $22,000,386. 

But the superior quality of the live stock of Iowa may be seen by an 
examination of the values reported by Commissioner Rusk. Kentucky, 
with her famed blue grass and her generations of fleet horses, leads Iowa in 
the average value of her horse stock only in the ratio of 69 to 66, while Iowa 
leads Texas in this matter in the ratio of 66 to -41. Iowa farmers have not 
given so much attention to breeding fleet animals for sport on the track as 
they have given to the breeding of animals for service on the road and 
farm ; yet Iowa's pastures, grain and atmosphere have produced Axtel and 
Allertoa to win world-wide fame by their speed qualities, and thousands of 
massive Percherons, Clydesdales, Belgians, Shires and Cleveland Bays of 
noble form, fine stylish coach animals and fleet standard-breds are found in 
every locality. No country nor State need desire finer horses than are seen 
at our county fairs, or are shown in the great displays at Iowa's famous 
State fairs. 

CATTLE. 

In this department of the live stock industry Iowa knows no superior. 
The best beef and milk breeds are all encouraged by the votaries of these 
different interests, so that all the improved breeds, as Shorthorns, Ilerefords, 
Galloways, Polled Angus, Polled Durhams, Dutch Belted, Swiss, Devons, 
Holsteins, and the butter producing Alderneys, Guerusej^s, and Jerseys are 
all bred in Iowa to perfection. In her pastures thousands of full-bloods thrive 
and add wealth to their fortunate owners, while herds of fine grades are seen 
on every farm. The longhorned rangers of the wilderness and the bony, 
coarse and scrawny "scrubs" no longer waste Iowa grass unless in some 
chance way such a bovine specimen is imported from some distant State. 



By the table given above it is shown that the sheep husbandry in Iowa 
declined largely from 1870 to 1880. Formerly, for varions reasons, sheep 
were found to be inconvenient stock. But Iowa farmers are now enclosing 
and subdividing their farms with good fences, and more attention is given 
to sheep raising and wool growing and flocks are rapidly increasing in num- 
bers. Animals of the fine and long wooled breeds are being largely im- 
ported. Iowa's climate, soil, pure waters and nourishing pastures are finely 
suited to this industry, and the State in the near future will become as 
famous for her wool and mutton production as she is now for her corn, 
butter and pork. 

SWIXE. 

Iowa excels, not only in the number of swine yearly produced and 
marketed, but also has no superior in the quality of the blood and breeding 
of her herds. Swine production has been a potent factor in Iowa's develop- 
ment of wealth, and will long remain so, Iowa soil, from the richest spot 
in the flood plain bj' the river's brink to the summit of her highest "divides," 
will grow corn ; and corn fed to Poland Chinas, Chester Whites, Berkshires, 
Durocs and Victorias, is turned into pork of as superb a quality as ever 
graced the board of Xorman or Saxon lord. The markets of the world are 
own open to pork and lard from this interior west, and the farms of Iowa 



78 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 




THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. 79 

can furnish supplies in quantities which the world will almost deem 
incredible. 

THE GRASSES. 

Grass is a natural product of Iowa prairies. Kentucky's blue grass pas- 
tures have world-wide fame, but Iowa farmers now enjoy as rich, abundant, 
healthful, nourish in u; and beautiful blue grass pasturage as was ever found 
in Kentucky or any other State. Everywhere in Iowa blue grass has 
become a spontaneous product. 

Timothy, the clovers, millet and other grasses thrive luxuriantly in 
Iowa sunshine and soil. In all parts of the State great clover fields are 
plentiful. Timothy meadows produce surprising crops, and large quantities 
of grass seeds are annually exported. The power of Iowa soil to produce 
grass will ever make stock raising a highly remunerative industry in Iowa 
husbandry. 

FLAX. 

But little attention was devoted to this crop in the early j^ears. It was 
ever found to be productive, but the absence of machinery or mills for 
working up and giving value to the fiber, precluded its being largely remu- 
nerative to its producers, yet its production has increased until Iowa has 
attained second place in the rank of States in the production of flax seed — 
her product aggregating in 1891, (according to the returns of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture) 2,898,596 bushels. 

Lately, considerable attention has been given to the fiber in Winnebago 
and other northern counties of the state, and it has been found that the fiber, 
there produced, is unexcelled in quality for linen fabric. There are invit- 
ing openings in Iowa for the manufacture of linen and other flax products. 

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. 

Butter and cheese are important items upon the table and also in the 
qiarkets of the country. The reports of the Department of Agriculture for 
1891, show that there are in the United States 16,410,351 milch cows, of the 
aggregate value of $351,378,182. In the following table we give the number 
of milch cows, their aggregate and average value in each of the five states 
leading in this respect: 



STATES. 


NO. OP MILCH cows. 


AGGREGATE VALUE. 


VALirE PER HEAD. 




1,55^,217 

1,304,184 

1,104,861 

929,091 

869,726 


$40,637,041 
24,479,534 
24,561,060 
2:i,459,.548 
15,220.205 


$26.18 
18.76 






21.27 




25.25 


Missouri 


17.50 



The dairy industry, as a distinct business, is comparatively new in Iowa. 
Having no great cities or manufacturing centers within our area, we had to 
seek markets for our dairy products abroad. These products were without 
reputation in the East prior to the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. The 
awards received there opened markets in the east for Iowa creamer}' butter. 

The plans for an Iowa exhibit in that exposition were made, and the 
work of providing exhibits therefor was largely done, and the expense 
therefor met by priyate organizations before anj' provision was made for 
State aid. In February, but three months before the opening of the 



8o HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Exposition, the Iowa General Assemby passed an act providing for State 
supervision and the encouragement of an Iowa exhibit, and appropriated 
120,000 therefor. 

This was our first effort for an exhibition in a " World's Fair." Intelli- 
gent, patriotic citizens saw that it was a prime opportunity to promote 
the interests of Iowa and made earnest effort to improve it. 

The managers of that Exposition made no reservation of space in the 
agricultural department for the dairy interest, and the dairymen of the 
country found their industry without place for display. The American 
Dairymen's Association arranged with the managers of the Exposition 
for the erection of a building at the expense of the dairymen of the country,, 
to provide a place for the exhibition of dairy products. The dairymen of 
Iowa were assessed by the American Dairymen's Association $1,000 for this 
purpose. 

On the 14th day of April, 1876, John Stewart, of the firm of John Stew- 
art & Co., manufacturers of "fine creamery butter," Manchester, Iowa, 
addressed a letter to Governor Kirkwood in which he stated the facts out- 
lined above, and urged him to favor the dairy interests and said : 

" If we can exhibit our butter side by side with the eastern dairymen, 
we can succeed in breaking down the prejudice that has been so prevalent 
in the minds of eastern people ; and if so, we will get one million dollars 
more, annuall}', for our dairy products than we do now. If it is not asking 
too much of you in your official position, we would ask j'ou to urge the 
executive committee to appropriate this amount or so much of it as is pos- 
sible out of the $20,000. We do not ask the State to transport our goods, 
but simply to give us a place to exhibit them." 

But the State authorities did noi appropriate |1,000 or any other sum 
out of the $20,000 or any other fund, for a dairy exhibit, but John Stewart 
& Co., and other creamery men exhibited twenty-nine packages of their 
butter, having a total weight of 9,150 pounds and won for Iowa butter the 
following aw^ard — gaining a first prize. 

''Creamery 859, Stewart & Mellen, Manchester, Iowa, Creamery Butter. 
Commended for its clear sweet flavor, firm texture and superior excellence." 
That award gave Iowa butter an entrance into eastern markets in which 
it soon won a reputation that has been worth scores of millions of dollars to 
the State. The dairy business has become of vast importance in Iowa 
agriculture. 

State Dairy Commissioner Tupper, in his report to the Governor, 
December, 1892, said : 

"The total shipments of butter billed out of the State for the year end- 
ing September 30, were 71,563,013 pounds. The best authorities estimate 
the home consumption of butter to be fifty pounds, per ca^nta, or 100,000,- 
000. This would bring the total product of the State up to 171,563,013 
pounds. Estimating it at 20 cents per pound, the value of Iowa's product 
for the year would be $34,312,602." 

As the amount shipped out of the State was ascertained by corres- 
pondence with the several railroad authorities and getting reports of their 
actual shipments to points in other States, the report of shipment is prac- 
tically correct. The Commissioner reports the ninety-nine counties in detail. 
The amount consumed at home of course is estimated. Iowa people live 
well and the estimate is reasonable. 

The butter production of the State is most largely in its northeastern 



HORTICULTURE. 8i 

portious. la Delaware couuty there are 38 creameries, in Liun 29, iu 
Bremer 24, and Fayette 23. ]\Ir. Tapper reports 729 creameries in niaety- 
seven coanties. 

The Dairj^ Comuiissioner's rei)()rt for 1892 is the sixtli animal report 
from that office. The dairy business, furnishing an export of 71,53(3,013 
pounds of batter to go into the great marliets of the country, and in addition 
furnisliing 50 pounds, per capita, for 1,911,890 people, is an industry of 
large importance. Onlj^ 1.4 cents, per pound, on the amount exported, 
would raise John Stewart's $1,000,000 to the creamery men of Iowa. This 
business may appear to have immense proportions, but it maybe said of the 
dairy industry of Iowa, ''There yet is room," — the dairy business is still 
growing. 

Dairy Commissioner Tupper reported one hundred and eleven cheese 
factories in operation in Iowa iu 1891, twenty new ones having been 
established that year. In 1892 he reported one hundred and fourteen cheese 
factories operated in tifty-one counties. He made no report of the pro- 
duction as he had been unable to collect full statistics. 

HORTICULTURE. 

The culture of the garden is a higher form of agriculture than that of 
the common field. It is the tilling of the soil to produce things more deli- 
cate, beautiful and valuable than the common grains, grasses or coarser root 
crops. It includes the culture of garden vegetables, seeds, nursery stock, 
fruits and flowers. Floriculture, being a higher type of horticultural 
industry; may be classed as a lighter form of labor, requiring greater 
intelligence and care than common farm operations. Having no place nor 
part in a savage state, it is only when some degree of wealth is developed, 
taste incited, and culture takes the place of barbarous conditions that the 
interests of horticulture prosper. 

Common gardening is the first branch of horticultural industry pursued 
in the settlement of new countries, the nursery business being the next in 
order. The latter has now become of great importance. The number of 
established nurseries in the State was reported, in the census of 1890, as 183, 
employing 1,193 persons, and occupying 12,049 acres of land devoted to the 
growth of apple, crab, pear, quince, peach, apricot, plum and cherry trees 
for orchard planting; various nut bearing trees, evergreens and flowering 
shrubs. Thirteen and a half acres were devoted to the propagation of the 
rose; 427 acres to the propagation of the grape, and numerous acres to 
strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries and other 
fruit bearing plants. The total value of these 183 nurseries was reported at 
$1,276,379. 

Of these 183 nurseries so far as information conld be gained, eight 
were established between 1850 and 1860; thirteen between 1800 and 1870, 
twenty-six between 1870 and 1880, and sixt3^-seven between 1880 and 1890. 
While these figures do not give full data in the matter, they show that this 
business has rapidly increased in the State as wealth and improvement have 
developed. 

But twenty years ago large quantities of apples were imported into 
Iowa from States farther east. Then orchardists iu Indiana, Ohio and 



82 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Michigan imagined that apples could not be successfully grown on Iowa's 
prairie soil, and that this State would ever afford a great market for the 
products of their orchards. The fine exhibits of Iowa-grown pears at the 
Centennial Exposition in 1876, by Messrs. C. B. Brackett, of Lee county and 
W. T. Smith of Mahaska, with the exhibit of forty varieties of Iowa-grown 
apples by W. S. Willett of Malcolm, of seventy-five by L. Hollingsworth, of 
Montrose, and 160 varieties by James Smith of Des Moines, dispelled that 
idea forever. Iowa won, by those exhibits, high encomiums for the superior 
size and quality of her fruit. At the New Orleans Exposition, ten years 
later, her apples again won high honors, and thereby opened the markets 
of all the great cities alike on the Atlantic, the Gulf and the Pacific coasts 
for the products of Iowa orchards. Under these inspirations pomological 
industry in Iowa has been greatly increased, immense orchards have been 
planted and great attention has been given to their culture, and the expor- 
tation of apples from Iowa is becoming a business of large volume. Our 
apples find profitable markets in both our own and foreign countries. 

In the fall of 1891, the shipments of apples from Iowa reached large 
figures. The "Red Oak Sun" gathered the amounts shipped from a few 
counties in the southwestern part of the State. We copy its reported ship- 
ments from the five counties named below : 

COUNTIES. BBLS. SHIPPED. 

Freemont 48,144 

Mills 41,300 

Page 26,115 

Montgomery 17,384 

Adams 14,574 

Total 142,526 

Peaches, plums, apricots, quinces, cherries, and pears are successfully 
grown. Many varieties of these fruits specially adapted to our climate and 
soil have been produced. The production of grapes is becoming immense. 
It is now known by all thatlowa produces fruits of finest size and appear- 
ance, abundant in variety and unexcelled in quality and flavor, in quantities 
not only to supply her own population, but also to meet the large demands 
that come from other States. Fifteen carloads of Iowa grapes were shipped 
from Council Bluffs in one month the past season. The small fruits, as 
raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants and strawberries all grow 
in this State to superlative perfection in size, appearance and flavor. The 
tables of Iowa farmers throughout the season abound with those luxuries 
grown in their own gardens. 

VEGETABLES. 

Iowa's soil, climate and rainfall all combine to promote the growth of 
vegetation. Its depth and mellowness make gardening a pleasure. In no 
country is the labor of the gardener more abundantly repaid. Every kind 
of vegetable grown in the country east of the Rocky Mountains and north 
of Mason and Dixon's line is cultivated with success in the gardens of Iowa. 

FLORICULTURE. 

Iowa is a land of flowers. The Violet, the Crimson Phlox, the Lily, the 
Helianthus, the Rose, the Aster and the Golden Rod in many varieties are 



HORTICULTURE. 83 

native to the prairies ; and, in grand profusion in their season, waved their 
magnificent welcome to the pioneer who delighted in beautiful surround- 
ings. Iowa homes, from the occupanc\' of the first cabin, have ever been 
adorned with Flora's magnificent handi-work. The early settler brought in 
the cultivated annuals and perennials common to the home surroundings 
iu the States from which they came ; and no country produces flowers of 
richer hue or grander magniflcence in form and fragrance than are grown 
about the homes of Iowa. 

COMMERCIAL FLOKICULTUUE. 

The enumerators of the census of 1890 report for the whole country 
4,659 floral establishments. Idaho, Nevada, Indian Territory and Oklahoma 
were the only portions of the country in which such establishments were 
not found. Three hundred and twelve were owned and conducted by 
women. These four thousand and more establishments, including fixtures 
and heating apparatus were of tlie value of $88,823,547, and gave employment 
to 16,847 men and 1,958 women. 

Such an industry is an important one. Its most favorable field of 
operation is iu the vicinity of the great cities, the centers of wealth and 
luxurious living. Iowa has a respected place iu this esthetic industry. The 
number of florists establishments, reported for Iowa in that census, was 
sixty-nine. Of forty- four reporting the date of their establishment, twenty- 
four were started betvveen 1880 and 1890. In this business that census 
reported for Iowa the employment of 166 men and 49 women, and .f 66,234 
paid the male employees in wages and $13,818 were paid female 
employees. It further reported the propagation of 255,330 roses, 1,109,037 
hardy plants and of 1,838,850 other plants. The value of the plants sold was 
$125,164.55; of cut flowers sold, $107,638.29; the total for sales reaching the 
sum of $232,808.3-1. There is not only pleasure but profit iu the florist's 
occupation. 

With the increase of wealth floriculture is encouraged as taste is gratified, 
and the love of the beautiful ever strengthens with the development of the 
finer elements of our nature. In this State this business receives 
great encouragment, not only in our large and prosperous growing cities, 
but in the scores of beautiful, thrifty and progressive towns which offer 
inviting openings to persons of taste and enterprise, who desire to engage 
in this pleasant industry. The people of Iowa, lovers of the beautiful in 
nature as well as in morals and social culture, have taste for floral decor- 
ations and are liberal patrous of floral production. 

SEED FARMS. 

This branch of horticultural industry has been rapidlj' enlarged in the 
State during the last decade. 

In the census of 1890 attention was given for the first time to gathering 
the statistics of this industry. The enumerators found that there were then 
in the country 596 farms with a total of 169,851 acres of land devoted exclu- 
sively to seed growing. This was an average of 284 acres to the farm. The 
total value of farms, implements and buildings reported was $18,325,935.86. 
Those farms emploj'ed in that census j'ear 13,500 men and 1,541 women. 

Of these 596 seed farms, eighteen were located in Iowa. Such farms 



84 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

are found in thirty-six of tlie fort,y-tour States, and one of 1'20 acres in the 
District of Columbia. The eighteen seed farms in this State embrace 11,152 
acres of land valu?d at $27.75 per acre. The total value of farms, imple- 
ments and buildings being |!633,828.G7. The average acreage of such farms 
in Iowa is 620 acres. Of course considerable portions of these farms are 
devoted to meadow and pasturage. Ten of these were established in the 
last decade. Those eighteen farms gave employment to 354 men. 

Of the seeds cultivated on Iowa seed farms we notice the following 
varieties named in the census report : Asparagus, beans, beets, cabbage, 
carrot, corn (sweet), corn (field), cucumber (to which 472 acres of Iowa 
farms were devoted), egg plant, lettuce, melon (musk), melon (water), okra, 
onion (seed), onion (sets), parsnip, pease, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, 
salsify, spinach, squash, tomato turnip, and flower seeds, fourteen acres of 
land being devoted to the latter production. One man in Poweshiek county 
raised last year forty acres of sunflowers for their seed. 

Prior to 1850 this industry was confined almost exclusively to the New 
England States. 

The extensive and very rapid settlement of the northwest since 1870 
created an immense demand for garden seeds, and led to the establishment 
of this industry on quite a large scale in the central western States. 

SOROHUM. 

This saccharine plant is cultivated successfully in Iowa. Our light, 
deep prairie soil and moist, warm summer months are favorable to its 
development. In the table given elsewhere, from the report of the Secretary 
of the State Agricultural Society, the value of the sorghum product for 
1892 was estimated at $1,000,000, the product being over 2,000,000 gallons of 
syrup. This plant is grown in all parts of the State and is an important 
adjunct to family supplies. But little effort has been made to grow this 
cane as a source from which to manufacture sugar, but its cultivation and 
the manufacture of syrup therefrom reduces sugar consumption in many 
households. Years of experience in its cultivation has proved that a cane 
very rich in saccharine matter can be grown almost as cheaply as corn. 

BEETS. 

Experiments have proven that beets, very rich in saccharine substance, 
can be easily grown, and no soil produces a more vigorous growth of the 
beet. No plant has yet been erected for the manufacture of sugar in this 
State. With large coal fields, cheap fuel, cheap lands and suitable soil for 
beet culture; with our rapidly increasing population that each year furnishes 
a larger supply of labor for the better cultivation of our fields and the 
raising of crops that involve large labor, Iowa offers inviting opportunities 
for the profitable employment of capital in the beet sugar industry. 

STATE ENCOUKAGEMENT. 

State Legislation has extended wise encouragement to agricultural 
and horticultural interests. 

THE STATE AORICULTIIRAL SOCIETY. 

This is an efficient, well officered and ably managed State organization. 
It owns very fine, extensive and conveniently located grounds lying imme- 
diately east of the city of Des Moines, and of easy access by railroad and 



HORTICULTURE. 85 

electric car lines from the capital city. These grounds are now well im- 
proved and a State fair is held annually thereon. The Iowa State Fair is 
becoming widely known as one of the most successful Agricultural Fairs of 
the countrj'. The grounds embrace several hundred acres, afford line 
camping grounds, fine shade and are well supplied with pure water. No 
intoxicating drinks are sold on the grounds and all gambling schemes are 
excluded from them, and yet most interesting and successful fairs are 
annually held. 

COrNTY AND DISTRICT FAIRS. 

Tliese are provided for by law, and are encouraged by annual financial 
aid. There are now few counties in the State without a duly organized 
County Agricultural Society and its annual County Fair. Where no 
County Organization exists, there are District Fairs. These cover parts 
of two or more counties. Our County and District Fairs are excellent 
educators of our people in agricultural interests, presenting the newest 
features in agricultural progress and affording pleasant opportunities for 
enlarging acquaintance and mutual interchange of ideas, and the enlarge- 
ment of agricultural knowledge. 

THE STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

This is an important and highly serviceable organization to the people 
of the State. It is financially aided by the State and holds an annual meet- 
ing at the State Capital in which it has rooms. At its meetings horticul- 
tural matters are discussed, the leading horticulturalists of the State inter- 
change thought and compare experiences. Its proceedings are published 
and freely circulated and so most useful horticultural information is thereby 
freely disseminated. 

In addition to the parent State society there are several auxilliary dis- 
trict and count}" societies which hold frequent meetings, and render valuable 
service in the spread of horticultural knowledge. 

LIVE STOCK BREEDERS ASSOCIATIONS. 

We have various organizations in the interest of breeders and farmers 
interested in the improvement of the live stock and poultry of the State. 
Almost each particular breed of live stock having an organization of its 
friends working earnestly to set forth its merits. They are doing successful 
work in improving the several varieties of domestic animals kept on farms. 



The poultry interests of Iowa are worthy of consideration, lion. J. R. 
Schaffer, Secretary of the State Agricultural Society in a late report 
estimated the poultry products of the State to have an annual value of 
f."),000,000. The flocks of " biddies," geese, ducks, turkeys, guineas, and 
pea fowls that grace our farm yards and furnish dainty luxuries for our 
daily meals and holiday feasts, add millions yearly to the profits of Iowa 
farms and by their valuable production the managing, industrious house- 
wife multiplies the family comforts. 

The traveler everywhere in the agricultural portions of Iowa sees 
uumerous fiocks of the finest fowls, all the improved breeds being found in 
every locality. Hundreds of men using large capital are engaged in the 



86 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

poultry and egg business. Could we gather the true figures representing 
the extent of this business they would present a startling sum. This busi- 
ness is a growing one because the production of poultry is found to be 
profitable on the farms of Iowa. The shipment of live fowls is becoming a 
large business and the exhibit of patent cars in the Transportation Building 
at the Columbian Exposition for their transportation shows that the inventors 
as well as the transportation companies of the country are awake to the fact 
that this to some seemingly trifling "chicken business " is one of such 
magnitude as to be worth caring for. 

NATIVE FLORA OF IOWA. 



By Prof. L. M. Pammel, Iowa Agricultural College. 



The climate and physical features of the State have not favored a very 
large number of flowering plants compared with some of the States wathiu 
our borders, and yet we have a good many species. We have few mountain 
forms as the conditions favoring the perpetuation of these species are ab- 
sent. A few are maintained along our streams, especially in the eastern 
and northeastern parts of the State. The Ked Berried Elder,with its bright 
red fruit, is a conspicuous object along the Mississippi above Dubuque. 
Here too may be found the Mountain Maple overhanging the rocks; an 
occasional Paper Birch stands in strong contrast to the southern Kentucky 
Coffee tree. An occasional Sycamore or Honey Locust in the bottoms indi- 
cate that we have here a commingling of northern and southern forms. 
Our Oaks in central, eastern and western Iowa are those common to the 
north. The White Oak and the tall, majestic Red Oak, large and hand- 
some but less valuable than the White Oak are common. The swamp 
White Oak, a southern species, may be found in the southern part of the 
State. Another common Oak in this State is the Burr Oak with its sweet 
acorns, also a valuable tree for its wood. Common throughout Iowa is the 
Soft Maple, the Cottonwood, and the American Basswood. The Elms are 
familiar objects; the most graceful of the family is the American or White 
Elm. The Slippery or Red Elm is common and is a valuable tree. 

NUT BEARING TREES. 

In this class the widely known Black Walnut is the most valuable; then 
there is the White Walnut or Butternut, a species growing on high grounds. 
The Black Walnut prefers lower grounds, and is a southern tree which 
gradually diminishes northward; the Butternut being a northern tree. The 
most valuable of the Hickory family is the Shag or Shell Bark. It is so by 
reason of its wide distribution as well as for the superior value of its wood. 
The Mocker-nut Hickory occurs in the southern part of the State bordering on 
Missouri. The Pecan is also a southern species extending northwardly 
along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The Butternut is quite common 
in many parts of the State. 

CONIFEROUS TREES. 

There are some coniferous trees found in Iowa, the White Pine and the 
more widelj^ distributed Red Cedar. 



NATIVE FLORA OF IOWA. 87 



There are several species of the Ash in tliis State. The White Ash, on 
account of its beaut)- strength and value should not be overlooked. It is a 
valuable tree for cultivation, being easily i)ropagated and a rai)id grower. 
It grows naturally along our streams and as au ornamental tree along 
fence rows, roads or lawns and in parks is worthy of attention. Its wood, 
especially the young growth, is of great value in many lines of manufacture. 



Of smaller trees and shrubs which lend beauty to our landscapes, there 
are many. Conspicuous among them is the Wild Crab. Its shape is 
symmetrical and w^hen in flower the sweet perfume fills the air. Nothing 
excels it in beauty when in flower. The Wild Plum is found in all parts of the 
State. When in bloom the plum groves are masses of creamy beauty and the 
fruit is of great value, but was especially valuable to the early settlers. ^Many 
of our most valuable cultivated plums have been developed from a wild 
parentage. The Flat Topped Thorn, with its masses of flowers is especially 
striking in June. The Red Bud is limited in its distribution, jet its 
purple flowers coming out before the leaves, makes it an interesting 
object. It is found as far north as Muscatine. In the month of May, 
before the forests are clothed with tlieir green leaves, a white flowering 
shrub dots the forests here and there; it is the Shad Bush, or Service 
Berry. It bears an inviting fruit. We should also mention the primitive 
form of the Snow Ball, commonly called High Bush Cranberry, which 
occurs in wet grounds in the northern part of the State. In this connection 
we may also speak of the Red Root, a common low shrub on the prairies, 
well known to prairie breakers for its hard, strong root. Its red stems, rich 
green leaves and cream colored tufts of flowers in June and July make it 
conspicuous. 

HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 

Of these we have many striking forms. Our flora on the prairies par- 
takes largely of the western type. We have also many species that are 
common in the eastern states. Some of these are introduced and some are 
woodland species that have kept in close contact with our forest trees. In 
early spring soon after the snow disappears, in shaded banks, the little 
(Hepatica L.) Liverwort makes its appearance, soon followed by the Spring 
Beauty, the Blue Violet, the Dutchman's Breeches with delicate white 
flowers, and the Dog Toothed Violet. These are early flowering woodland 
species and common further east. In the open prairies we find the Pasque- 
flower, its flowers are pale blue, coming out long before the fields are green. 
There are also several species of Crowsfoot. Several varieties of the Phlox 
family give beauty to our prairies by their brilliant colors. The common 
American Columbine should be remembered, a beautiful flower in different 
colors, easily transplanted and worthy of cultivation for the long season of 
its bloom and beauty. There is nothing common about it either in its 
color or form. Of the same family, but growing on the prairies the Azure 
Larkspur should be mentioned. In the southern part of the state another 



88 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

species occurs, a woodland species, but lil^e the former its Howers show a 
tendency to vary in color. 

In .June, July and August the prairies are bright with various flowers 
of the Composite Family. Some of the species are coarse, yet mauy are very 
showy. There is the Cone-flower. The tall Compass-plant, Pilot Weed or 
Prairie Burdock, a resinous plant, and its near relative the Cup-plant. 
These bear showy yellow flowers. In July we have the purple Cone-flower 
or Comb-flower, the upright Lily and, later, two varieties of Lilies with 
pendant flowers. But few cultivated flowers are more beautiful than the 
Lilies of our prairies. 

There are several pretty members of the Orchis family, the fringed 
Orchis, with its long spur containing nectar and fringes to its petals is an 
interesting plant. Several species of Ladies Tresses occur. I have not 
mentioned the Moccasin-flower, two species of which are not imcommon in 
Iowa. The Large White Moccasin-flower also occurs. The Larger Yellow 
Moccasin-flower, or Ladies' Slijiper, is an early flowering species in our 
moist woods. 

September is the mouth for Asters, Golden Rod, Sunflowers, Wild Arti- 
choke, Boneset, and members of that family. The Lobelia (Greater Blue) 
and the Cardinal-flower, growing in moist places, the latter especially grow- 
ing near streams where the alluvial deposits occur, some river bottoms 
being fairly red with them in their season. The writer remembers the 
first impression made on his mind when he first saw this species in flower. 
The Missouri river valley has some most striking plants. The Yuccas, so 
distinctively American, are represented by the Yucca angustifolia, to be 
appreciated this plant should be studied as it is a most remarkable plant as 
regards its pollination. The AVild Licorice is distinctively western. The 
Mint family is also represented on our prairies by a few western species. 

The grasses are numerous. Blue Grass [Poa xiratensis) has become 
naturalized everywhere in Iowa. The AVild Ryes are common. But more 
than any other grass the Blue Joint was found everywhere in Iowa on its 
rich dry prairie lands. The Beard Grass is also a native variety. These 
are tj'pical prairie species and in the autumn add to the beauty of our 
extended prairie landscapes. 

The Ferns are rare except in certain sheltered and isolated places. 
Muscatine county has, perhaps, more species than any other county. The 
Brake, Maidenhair Fern, Sensitive Fern, and one Spleenwort are widely dis- 
tributed. The rock}^ hills of the east support several interesting species. 
The Walking Leaf Fern and other varieties are interesting plants. 

The chief feature of our native flora is its diversity. It lacks species of 
trees which may truly be called grand, but our trees may be characterized 
as vigorous and sturdj'. 

I would call attention to several catalogues of the Flora of the State. 
One of the earliest accounts of plants in this State was by the late Dr. C. C. 
Parry, in David Dale Owens' Geological Survey. Prof. C. E. Bessey pub- 
lished an account in one of the early Bi-ennial Reports of the Iowa Agri- 
cultural College. Dr. J. C. Arthur published a list of Iowa plants for the 
Centennial Exposition which was nearly complete. Later Prof. A. S. Hitch- 



FORESTS AND ARTIFICIAL GROVES. 89 

•cock publisluHl a catalogue of the Anthdjilivta and Ptoridophvta of Ames. 
The writer also published a short list in Proceedings of Iowa Acadeni}'^ of 
Sciences for 181)2. 

FORESTS AND ARTIFICIAL GROVES. 

Iowa is rightly classed as a prairie State. It has never had forest nor 
timber resources to give it fame as a lumbering State, yet its surface at the 
time of its discovery and settlement was flecked with groves of 
timber that were serviceable to its early settlers. In all parts of the State 
there were found groves that yielded supplies for fuel, building and 
fencing puri)oses in advance of railroad construction. In man}' localities 
there are yet extensive and valuable bodies of native timber. 

In the valleys and along the acclivities bordering the Mississippi, Des 
^Moines, Cedar, Iowa, and other rivers and man\^ of the smaller streams in 
the eastern portions of the State, there were man}^ considerable bodies of 
timber, some of which yet furnish large supplies for manufacturing pur- 
poses. 

Along the Cedar, before the settlement of the country bordering it, 
there were valuable groves of Red Cedar. These attracted the forest pirate 
and ere immigration came, these groves were mostly cut ofE and rafted to 
:St. Louis. 

No county in Iowa was entirely destitute of timber. Many counties had 
comparatively small supplies, yet there were native groves whichwere central 
places in the early settlement, and gave names 10 places and postofiices 
which are still retained. Some were important land marks to the traveler 
before the roads were distinctly marked. The changes resulting from settle- 
ment and the construction of railroads have rendered the names of many of 
these once widely known groves obsolete. 

There were many valuable varieties of timber native to those groves; 
the black and white walnut, the white oak, burr oak, red oak, the maples, 
the white ash, the hickories, the elms, the honey locust, and many others. 
The hard maple in some localities was found in quantities to be of service 
to the pioneers in sugar production. 

With the stoppage of the annual destructive prairie fires the acreage of 
young timber has been greatly enlarged. But the people are not dependent 
upon their native groves for supplies of lumber. Railroads now transport 
fencing and building lumber from the timbered states at reasonable rates, 
and a few acres of prairie cultivated in corn settles the fuel and lumber 
matter. It is easy to buy the lumber and coal needed for the farm and 
family with the money the corn brings. Timber lauds are now of less value 
than corn growing lauds. 

ARTIFICIAL (iUOVKS. 

The settlers on the prairies soon planted groves. Some on a liberal 
scale, which soon became, not only objects of convenience and beauty, but 
of usefulness and value for the shelter they allorded. In half a dozen 3^ears 
from such planting, with careful cultivation, the settler had a beautiful 
grove. For a few years the soft maple would make more rapid growth 
than the black walnut. Alter ten rears the walnut would be the faster 



90 HAND BOOK OF IOWA, 

grower and make the stronger and more valuable timber tree. Mauj'^ groves 
were planted of the white ash, the honey locust, and oak. Young elm& 
could be had in almost every fringe of native timber. The law gave 
exemption from a certain amount of taxation for planting groves and 
orchards, and thus timber and fruit growing were encouraged. Pines, 
Cedars, Firs and Spruces have been numerously planted for Avind breaks 
and ornamentation; and the broad pi'airies have been relieved of their wild 
magnificence by intelligent industrj^ and have been made more beautiful 
by these serviceable oruameutations — the handi-work of industrious settlers. 

IOWA AND HANUFACTURES. 

People living in different portions of the countr}^ generally regard 
Iowa as exclusivel}^ an agricultural State. Very few even of those who are 
resident here have just conceptions of the extent and value of our mineral 
resources or our possibilities for success in manufacturing industries. All 
know that in this famous wealth producing region we have unequalled 
advantages of soil and climate for great success in the industries common 
to the orchard, the garden and the lield. It is equally true that we have 
here most inviting openings for the establishment of great and profitable 
manufacturing enterprises. Two millions of intelligent people possessing 
the wealth producing power for which this State has now wide fame will 
ever assure an immense and constant market for the vast supplies of manu- 
factured commodities demanded in their industrial and social life. 

This portion of the country having unequalled possibilities to produce 
foods, the laborer will ever find here, at reasonable pricees, the essential 
articles of human subsistence; the best social and moral surroundings, and 
clothing as cheap as it is obtainable in other markets. These desirable 
circumstances combined with our healthful climate, and excellent educa- 
tional opportunities will invite the most intelligent and desirable class of 
citizens. Our ever-flowing rivers furnish valuable water powers that may be 
cheaply harnessed to drive manufacturing machinery. As we have showa 
elsewhere almost one-third of our ninety -nine counties produce coal, and 
excellent fuel to produce steam is cheaply obtained. The facts we present 
are worthy of consideration by all who are seeking opportunities for the 
investment of capital in manufacturing enterprises. 

Supplies of raw material for important manufactures are readily 
obtainable. In convenient and readil}^ accessible localities there are large 
deposits of metallic ores; as lead, zinc, and iron. Alluminous clays, rich in 
that valuable and now largely used metal, exist in many places. Clays of 
quality suited for the manufacture of the best qualities of stoneware and 
finer qualities of pottery are found in heavy deposits in the State, while' 
clays for the manufacture of building, and the best qualities of paving, 
brick, articles now in very large demand in Iowa towns and cities are 
common. Timber is found, in valuable varieties and abundant quantity in 
the eastern and southeastern counties, of large value in many lines of 
manufacture. Straw and flax fibre suitable for the manufacture of paper 
and other commodities is grown abundantly. The vegetable productions 
and summer fruits suitable for canning are easily produced. For starch 



IOWA AND MANUFACTURES. 91 

and glucose niauufacture, the raw material is produced throughout the State 
in larger quantities than in any other equal area on earth. For the packing 
house industry most finely fed cattle and swine everywhere await the buyer. 
The vast improvements being constantly made in the building of new 
bridges, large, fine, and solid buildings, the construction of waterworks, 
electric light plants, and other improvements in our growing towns and 
cities, create a large and constantly growing demand for the products of the 
foundry and machine shop. The common use of all lines of labor-saving 
machines, alike in the homes and shops, and on the farms throughout the 
State makes Iowa a most inviting field for the manufacture of such 
machines. The use of baggies and fine carriages will ever be large in this 
center of wealth and pleasure. Our citizens enjoy the good things possible 
in earthly state and live in a style of luxury not excelled in the life of any 
agricultural population anywhere. They enjoj' the best of literature in 
their homes, and fine furniture in their parlors; they cultivate music in 
their families and are esthetic in their tastes. Such a people dwelling in 
such surroundings and possessing such ample means of enjoyment, will 
ever offer a vast home market for the products of the factory, and Iowa 
must ever be an inviting field for the operation of manufacturing capabilities 
and the employment of capital therein. 

The pioneer settlers came not here to mine gold, to gain wealth by 
lumbering pursuits or to make their living by quest of game with the gun, 
or fish with rod or net. Thej' came here for higher purpose ; namely, to 
build homes, to turn our then barbarous wilds into a fruitful country and to 
found a Christian common-wealth that would secure to its every citizen equal 
privilege to work out the best and happiest conditions possible in their sur- 
roundings. Their first concern was to provide shelter, their second to pro- 
vide for the cultivation of the soil. The first manufacturing plants for 
which the}' had concern were grist and saw mills. The streams flowing in 
their surroundings furnished them ample power to run the simple machiu- 
ery their needs then required. 

The national census of 1840 found in the Iowa territory only 1,G29 per- 
sons engaged in what w^as then reported as manufacturing industries. 
When the census of 1850 was taken the count showed that the number of 
persons engaged in such industries had increased during the decade to but 
1,707. Only 522 establishments were in the latter census reported as being 
engaged in manufacturing and mining pursuits, emploj'ing the nominal 
capital of $l,2y2,875. One woolen mill was then found in operation in the 
then new State. Three small iron foundries were reported that employed 
the trivial force of seventeen men. Four distilleries were then operated 
that employed sixteen hands, consumed 51,150 bushels of corn, and 7,200 
bushels of rye, producing 67,600 gallons of high-wines and whisky. Such 
were the chief manufacturing industries found in Iowa forty-three years* 
ago. 

The census of 1860 showed that increased attention was being given to 
manufacturing interests in the State. It reported 1,939 establishments, 
employing a capital of :j:7,247,180 and 6,307 men, their products being valued 
at 113,971,325. 

The census of 1870 revealed a very great increase in these important 



'92 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



industrial interests, reporting 6,506 establishments in the State, in which 899 
steam engines, and 726 water wheels were employed to furnish power. 
Those establishments emi)lo3'ed 35,0;J2 persons to whom were paid |6,893,- 
292 in wages. The value of their pro lucts aggregated $46,534,322. Our 
manufacturing interests were then becoming of consequence in our 
industrial S3'stem. 




These interests made still further material increase in the decade 
extending from 1870 to 1880. That advance would have been still greater 
but for the severe financial depression that existed throughout the country 
during a considerable part of the period. The census of 1880 enumerated 
6,921 establishments, employing a capital of $33,987,886 and 28,364 persons. 
The wages paid during the year 1879 aggregated $9,725,962, the value of 



IOWA AND MANUFACTURES. 93^ 

products aggregating |7 1,045,920. That enuineratiou reported l,o46 water 
wheels and 1,C()8 steam engines employed to furnish motive power. 

The manufactures reported for the latter period named, embraced 
agricultural implements, bakery products, brick and tile, bridges, carriages, 
wagons, butter and clieese, clothing, cooperage, flouring and grist mill pro- 
ducts, foundry and machine shop products. (These being of the reported 
value of !i!l,5'.14,o49,) furniture, licjuors, (distilled,) liquors, (malt,) lumber, 
marble and stone work, linseed oil, printing and publishing, saddlery and 
harness, sash, doors, and blinds, slaughtering and meat products, soaj), 
candles, tinware, copperware, sheet-iron ware, tobacco, cigars, woolen 
goods, and miscellaneous i)roduclions. 

We have been unable to obtain the census enumeration of Iowa manu- 
factures for 1890, Ihe figures not yet being in form to be given to the 
l)ublic. 

The woolen industry may however be excepted from this statement as the 
returns for it have been made. The number of woolen mills in the State 
were reduced in the period, but production was increased. The number of 
establishments reported were twenty-four, sets of cards twenty-six, spindles 
10,828, looms 158, knitting machines 19, capital emplo^-ed in woolen manu- 
facture, 1901,900, value of lands and buildings, !j!500,150, number of hands 
emyloyed, 387, amount paid in wages, $135,790, value of production, $700,981. 
There is room in Iowa for a large increase in this important industry. 

We have before us partial returns of the manufacturing interests in 
several cities of the State as made by the census of 1890. These, while far 
from complete, are sufficiently so to show a large increase in the manufac- 
turing industries in those cities during the decade. Agents of the census 
authorities have recently been in the State collecting more complete returns 
of those interests. 

From census bulletins numbered 224, 274, 315 and 317 we gather these 
facts regarding manufacturers in the cities of Des Moines, Davenport, 
Sioux City and Burlington, the enumeration published covering only the 
industries in which three or more establishments were engaged. These 
four cities in 1890 reported 1,176 of such establishments, employing $19,- 
359,547 of capital and 14,910 hands to whom were paid as wages $7,057,831. 
The value of their products reached the sum of 36,111,831, being about one- 
half of the reported value of the products of the manufacturing industries 
of the entire State in tlae preceding census. These facts although meager 
are sufficient to show an important increase of our manufacturing indus- 
tries during the last census period. In the three subsequent years the 
increase has been proportionately much greater. The following lines of 
manufacture were reported in the cities named. Brick and tile, carriages 
and wagons, confectionery, druggists preparations not including prescrip- 
tions, flouring and gristmill products, marble and stone work, foundry and 
machine shop products, iron work (architectural and ornamental work), 
planing mill products, printing and publishing, saddlery and harness, lum- 
ber, clothing, cooperage, malt liquors, slaughtering meat and packing, 
tobacco, cigars and cigarettes ; of lumber the production was large in Clin- 
ton and other river cities. 



4)4 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



The report of the Secretary of Agriculture shows that the beet sugar 
belt is located in the very heart of this State. All the requisites for grow- 
ing the beets and manufacturing the sugar are. here. The climate, the 
rainfall, the sunshine, the soil exactly suited to the cultivation of the sugar 
beet, are Iowa's proposed contribution to the people's sugar bowl, it only 
requires a little more education to give to capital the necessary confidence 
to establish factories and make it desirable for our farmers to engage in 
growing the beets. 

In the manufacture of cotton this State offers inviting openings. 

The rapid denudation of the forests of the country creates an extensive 
demand for metallic material for fencing purposes. Barbed wire is found 
to be the most efficient and enduring material for farm fences. With iron 
and steel easily procured, and with the advantages we have shown Iowa to 
possess, there is reason to believe that in the near future the manufacture 
of iron fencing material will become a great industry in the State. 

Start at the Mississippi river and extend the line of the southern 
boundary of Missouri to the Pacific Ocean, and all the territorj' north of 




AN OLD TIME IOWA BUSINESS BLOCK. 

that line and west of the Mississippi river belonging to the United States 
may be made contributory to a large extent to the prosperity of Iowa 
manufacturers. A grand empire is there traversed by railroads and 
inhabited bj' thrifty, prosperous people, numbering millions, who are con- 
sumers of articles that can be manufactured in Iowa in competition with 
the manufacturing communities of the east.' 

The territory thus bounded contains 58,376 miles of railroad, one-third 
of the railroad system of the country. It has an area of 1,429,185 square 
miles, or nearly one-third of the territory of the Union. It numbers in its 
population 12,000,000 persons, nearly one-fifth of the population of the 
country. The growth of this great country for the next quarter of a century 
will be very largely confined to the area we have described. "With public 
attention properly called to our advantages as a manufacturing State, 
capital will do the rest. Iowa manufacturers will in the near future enter 
this vast territory and find profitable market therein for the goods it is 
peculiarly within their province to provide. 



THE IOWA FISH COMMISSION AND ITS WORK. 95 

No State in the Union offers more conipiete transportation facilities 
than does onrs. The two great rivers on its borders offer conveniences for 
moving heavy or bnllvy commodities over extended regions of the conntry 
at the cheapest possible rates. Steam navigation is still and will doubtless 
be for ages successfnlly prosecnted along their channels with great advan- 
tage to the river cities and communities. But Iowa is netted with railroads, 
great arteries of commerce, along which moves its throbbing currents, 
giving life and vital force to business and animating industry at every point 
reached by them. There is now scarcelj'- a spot of Iowa soil but what the 
man who stirs it hears the inspiring sound of the locomotive's rumble as it 
hurries the commodities he needs almost to his door. These everywhere 
present transportation facilities ia our State, secure incalculable advantages 
for the employment of capital in manufacturing enterprises within its 
bounds. With the superior advantages it possesses, Iowa must inevitably in 
the near future become as noted for its manufacturing production as it is 
now for its agricultural superiority. 

We are indebted to Hon. E. H. Thayer, of Clinton, for very valuable aid 
in the preparation of this chapter. 

THE IOWA FISH COnfllSSION AND ITS WORK. 



By T. J. Griggs, Fish Commissioner of Iowa. 



In the early days of Fish Commissions the chief efforts of those engaged 
in the work were directed toward the propagation and distribution of the 
brook trout, and the work was mainly in t'.ie interest of the angler. As the 
years wore on, the attention of the people generally was drawn to the sub- 
ject by the gradual depletion of the public waters, and the necessity became 
apparent of taking active measures toward stocking the streams, and pro- 
tecting their product. As the outgrowth of such public sentiment, nearly 
all the States established Fish Commissions, and through their legislatures 
enacted a code of laws for the protection of fish. 

The waters of man}' of the western States were not adapted to the cul- 
ture of brook trout, and some method of re-stocking the streams with fish 
indigenous to them was a necessity. Mr. Sliaw, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 
conceived the idea of utilizing the fish that annually went to waste along 
the rivers, taking them from the ponds and sloughs where they were left by 
the spring overflow, and transporting them to inland streams and lakes. 
This plan was taken up by the Illinois Commission and carried into prac- 
tical effect. Their work in this direction attracting the attention of the 
United States Fish Commission, they adopted the method, and inaugurated 
a system of work in the benefits of which all the western States 'vere to 
share. Iowa, as well as other States, has been thus cared for, and during 
the last year I have induced them to distribute in our State about ten car 
loads of indigenous fish, which have been distributed as equally as possible 
throughout the State. 

Iowa has great natural resources as a fish producing State. Filled as it 
is with beautiful lakes and streams, it presents a magnificent opportunity 
for becoming the first in the list of States engaged in this work. Aside 



96 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

from the food so produced, there is the advantage to be gained in adding- to- 
the attractions of our magnificent lakes and streams, so popular as summer 
resorts, by furnishing a plentiful supply of fish for the pleasure-seeking 
angler. 

Some of these lakes are well worthy of special mention. Spirit Lake 
and its connections have a shore line of fifty miles. Clear Lake twenty 
miles ; Wall Lake twelve miles ; and Twin Lakes fifteen miles. 

All of these lakes are especially adapted to native fish, and all have 
been carefully stocked the present season. 

The work of the Commission has not been alone the stocking of the 
waters, but the enforcement of the laws for the protection of the fish, as 
well. This latter work has been, for the greater pai-t, of a thankless nature, 
not only attended by personal risks but incurring, for those engaged in it, 
the enmity of the fisherman and citizen alike whenever the operation of the 
laws interfered with what they had come to consider their vested rights- 
It has been an uphill fight to try to bring public sentiment into line with 
the laws, but we feel that something at least has been accomplished. 

Our output last season was as follows : 

400,000 black bass fry ; 300,000 crappie fry ; 50,000 wall-eyed pike fry ;, 
100,000 lake trout fry. 

These have been distributed throughout the State as generally and 
equably as our limited appropriation would permit, and are exclusive of 
those mentioned before as distributed by the United States Fish Commis- 
sion cars. 

Our property consists of nearly four acres of land situated on the 
isthmus dividing the waters of Spirit Lake and Lake Okoboji, in Dickinson- 
countj% near the tracks of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail- 
road. The grounds of the plant are surrounded by a wide fence, and the- 
improvements thereon consist of a barn and a frame building 20x40 feet, 
with a stone foundation, having a cemented floor. The apparatus consists 
of hatching troughs and screens suflicient to handle a half million trout 
eggs, and jars sufficient to handle from five to six million pike eggs, with 
all other necessary appliances, such as tools, nets, etc., to carry on the work.. 

There are six winter ponds, properly walled, for storage purposes. The 
ponds are properly connected with a supply pipe extending out into Spirit 
Lake about 200 feet. 

Iowa should, from its natural advantages, become the home of thousands 
of pleasure seekers every season, and there could be no more efl:ective 
means of securing this end than to make our waters teem with fish. Ang- 
ling is the favorite sport of a large majority of those w^ho seek an outing 
during the warm months. We have the water, beautifully located and fairly- 
stocked, and its product should be carefully protected by a rigid enforce- 
ment of the law, and the supply frequently renewed. As our State fills up 
these same waters will furnish a supply of food at small cost. 

EDUCATION IN IOWA. 

EARLY HISTORY. 

The time when Iowa was an almost uninhabited region is within the- 



EDUCATION IN IOWA. 97 

vivid memoiy of those surviving citizens wlio were among tlie earliest 
settlers. No longer ago than half a century the larger part of its area, so 
richly stored with Nature's gifts, was still untenanted b}' the white man. 
Over broad stretches of fertile prairie the bright flowers of each returning 
spring and summer blossomed unheeded. The dancing leaves of her wood- 
lands and the rippling waters of hundreds of streamlets awaited patiently 
the coming of the industrious pioneer, ambitious to establish anew under 
more favorable opportunities, the advantages of a superior civilization. 

The first school in what is now Iowa was held in the three closing 
months of 1880, at Nashville, Lee county, Berryman Jennings, teacher. On 
the present site of Keokuk, I. K. Robinson taught a school commencing in 
December, 1830. These two teachers and many of their scholars are living 
at this time. Geo. Cubbage taught a school in a log church in Dubuque, in 
the winter of 1833-4. The first woman to teach in Iowa was Mrs. Rebecca 
Palmer, at Fort Madison, in 1834. A school for young ladies was opened in 
Dubuque in 1837, by Louisa King, and conducted for several years. In 
1839, Alonzo P. Phelps established in the same city a classical school for 
both sexes, afterwards continued by Thos. H. Benton, Jr. 

The first building to be used chiefly as a public school-house, was 
erected at Burlington in 1833, of roughly hewed logs, while to Dubuque 
must be accorded the credit of erecting the first school-house by taxation 
under the law of January 1, 1839, which granted the voters of any school 
district the power to levy a tax, select a place, and build a school-house. 
This was in 1844. 

The constitution under which Iowa entered the Union in 183C declared: 
"The General Assembly shall encourage by all suitable means the promotion 
of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement." This 
constitution also required that every school district support a school for at 
least three months in each year. The right and dutj- of the State to main- 
tain a general S3'stem of popular education, and generously to support the 
same by a uniform levj^ of taxes, became thus clearly recognized and per- 
manently established as the policj' of the new State. 

The school law of 1849 authorized the electors of any district to 
determine whether a school of higher grade should be maintained. Several 
of the more populous districts availed themselves of this favorable enact- 
ment, and very early began to classify and grade their schools. 

During the fifties the increase in population was very rapid and there 
was a corresponding development of school facilities. Rural communities 
and hamlets multiplied as if by magic, towns and villages in many cases 
put on the air of cities, larger school-houses were demanded and supplied, 
and the need of graded and high schools became more keenly felt. A few 
cities made provision before 1860 for a complete system or organization 
and the selection of a city superintendent, notably Dubuque, Davenport, and 
Tipton. 

The statistics collected in Iowa in 1857 gave Iowa 3,265 school districts 
2,708 schools, 2,996 teachers, and 195,285 children and youth between five 
and twenty-one. 

Up to this time the money raised by general taxation had been 
insufiicient to maintain the schools for as long a period in each year as the 



98 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

people desired, and the term of school had been supplemented by subscrip- 
tion, usuall}^ assessed upon the scholars attending. An enlightened public 
sentiment was demanding that the schools be wholly free, and supported by 
general taxation. 

THE LAW OF 1858. 

This comprehensive enactment, the first adopted by the General 
Assembly and afterwards with slight amendments, bj^ the board of education, 
made a radical change for the better in our school system. Small districts 
were replaced by the civil township as the unit of organization, and 
adequate provision was made for sustaining the schools for at least six 
months in each year, and as much longer as the board of any district might 
desire, by public funds alone. The office of County Superintendent was 
created, and provision made for the thorough examination of teachers, the 
supervision of the schools, and the easier establishment and more generous 
support of graded and high schools. The management of the permanent school 
fund was removed from the school authorities. By the new law, the County 
Teachers' Institute was made a part of the school system. In many other 
ways the former laws were greatly simplified and improved upon. In its 
essential features the present school law differs but slightly from the 
Statute popularly known as The Law of 1858. 

THE SYSTEM DESCRIBED. — ORGANIZATION. 

There are two districts provided for in the law, district townships and 
independent districts. The district township usually agrees in boundaries 
with the civil township. Of independent districts there are two leading 
varieties, the village, town, or city district, and the rural independent dis- 
trict, the latter in size resembling the division in district townships known 
as the sub-district. All directors are chosen for a term of three years. 
Women are eligible to any school office. Boards determine the amount to 
be raised by tax for teachers' and contingent funds, fix the additional 
months of school over the legal requirement of six, establish graded schools 
and adopt courses of' study, locate sites and build school houses, the money 
having been voted by the elector;!, and in general have full control over 
school matters. 

Other school officers are the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and 
the several County Superintendents. These officers are elected for a term 
of two years. The Superintendent of Public Instruction has general super- 
vision of the County Superintendents and the common schools. He may 
meet County Superintendents in convention, and as far as able must attend 
and lecture before teachers' institutes, must give w^ritten opinions in expla- 
nation of the school laws, decide appeals from decisions made by County 
Superintendents, and compile the school laws and decisions. He is presi- 
dent of the board of the State Normal School, president of the Board of 
Educational Examiners, and a regent of the State University. He makes a 
bi-ennial report of the condition and progress of the public schools, with 
plans for their more perfect organization and efficiency. Each County 
Superintendent has general control over schools and teachers in his county. 
He visits schools, holds a normal institute, examines teachers and issues 
certificates for a period of not more than one year, hears and decides appeals 



EDUCATION IN IOWA. 99 

from orders made by boards of directors, and makes a complete annual 
report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

SCHOOL HOUSES. 

The pioneer log school house increased in numbers until 1801, when 893 
were reported, out of a total of 3,479. As population and wealth increased, 
larger school houses were built, of better material, more inviting in appear- 
ance, and more frequently well supplied with the many facilities required 
in order that the highest success in school work might be attained. 

In 1849, the average value of each of the 387 school houses was about 
$100 ; in 1860 the average of the 3,208 was |376 ; in 1874 of 9,228, $892 ; and 
in 1892 of 13,275, $1,040. The gradual and continued improvement in 
school houses and their surroundings is an index of the great advancement 
in all valuable and desirable particulars. Our State furnishes for the con- 
stant use of her people school-houses of fine architecture, commodious and 
well furnished, having good sanitary provisions, thoroughly well equipped 
with the best apparatus, libraries, and other needed accessories. And these 
school-houses are supplied in abundance, one for each 4.14 square miles of 
the State, including all river and lake surface in the distribution. 

TEACHERS. 

In 1850 seventy teachers out of every hundred emplo3'ed were men. 
This difference gradually diminished, until 1862, when the number of the 
gentler sex eraploj^ed became the greater. The eminent fitness of women 
for the ofiice of teacher has ever been favorably recognized in Iowa. As 
the number of women employed has increased in 1892 to 22,275 against 
4,978 [men, the relative difference in wages paid has decreased. And this 
apparent difference in monthly salary is really in most cases much less 
than shown, because of the higher salaries paid a larger number of men as 
superintendents and principals, which has the effect materially to increase 
the average paid men, while as a rule the larger number of the men receive 
only the same wages as the women teachers of the same grade doing the 
same work. 

SCHOOL FINANCES. 

The constant and rapid increase in the amount of money expended for 
educational purposes is indisputable evidence that the public schools are 
appreciated by the people. In many communities, the amounts paid for 
the support of free instruction aggregate more than one-half of the total 
taxes. This condition could continue only because there is a settled con- 
viction in the minds of those voting and paying such taxes, that the money 
given for popular education is after all the wisest expenditure possible. 

The total amount paid in 1892 for school purposes was $7,490,191, all 
raised by voluntary taxation, excepting the semi-annual apportionment, 
$789,040, a part of which is derived from the interest on the permanent 
school fund. 

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS 

grants State certificates good for five years, and State diplomas valid for 
life. This official recognition of professional teachers of merit has become 
very popular, and many hold one of these credentials. 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 






1 v.^;5M^-r^* ^ 







EDUCATION IN IOWA. 



TKACIIEUS INSTITUTKS. 



The development of the institute cannot well be considered apart from 
the grand services of the pioneers in education. The early fathers laid the 
foundations of our school system broad and deep. Earl}' in the fifties 
associations of teachers for consultation and instruction were frequently 
held. Several volunteer county institutes were held prior to 1858. The 
law of 1858 required the. institute to be in session at least one week and a 
donation of .f 50 to its support was made from State funds. From this time 
institutes multiplied, and their usefulness increased greatly. The normal 
institute law of 1874 extended the term, and enlarged the opportunities for 
instruction in methods of teaching and in the principles of education. In 
many counties the session is now three weeks, and as a rule the very ablest 
educators to be secured are selected as conductors and instructors. In 1892 
an institute was held in every one of the ninety-nine counties, 18,955 
teachers were in attendance for an average of 2.4 weeks, and $52,934 were 
disbursed for expenses. 

THE IOWA STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION 

has been in continuous existence since 1854. A general meeting of several 
days is held every year, in connection with which special sections or 
divisions apart from the others to discuss portions of the work more 
particularly related to themselves as engaged in a single lineof school work. 
This yearly gathering of the prominf^nt educators of the State is productive 
of great good to all attending. 

COUNTY teachers' ASSOCIATIONS AND ROUND TABLES. 

In 1892 eighty counties reported a live teachers' association. These 
meetings usually begin on Friday evening with a lecture or some entertain- 
ment likely to interest patrons and school ofBcers, and are continued 
through Saturday. Frequently city superintendents and principals of high 
schools join the teachers of the ungraded schools, in a meeting which may 
include several counties, their deliberations being conducted under the name 
of a teachers' round table. In some cases only the teachers in graded and 
high schools in several counties meet in a roimd table for high school 
teachers. These informal gatherings are alwaj'S entertaining and profitable. 

teachers' reading circle. 

Since 1889 a course of professional reading has been followed by a 
large number of teachers. A board chosen by the County Superintendents 
from their own number, selects books and gives advisorj^ direction to the 
course of reading, and each County Superintendent is ex-offlcio manager of 
the circle in his county. More than nine-tenths of the counties are co- 
operating in this excellent work. 

pupils' reading circle. 

This organization commends itself by helping to direct the children in 
the reading of good books. The very best works for those of different ages 
are recommended by the board of directors and arrangements are completed 
by which the books chosen may be secured at a low cost. Teachers find 
that the circle brings new interest into the school work. In 1893 about 
22,000 school children are reading the books selected for them. 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



COURSES OF STUDY. 

The State University offers instruction in advanced subjects, and affords 
special preparation for the work of teaching, for the law, medicine, 
dentistry, and pharmacy. The courses of study for a very large number of 
the high schools connect directly with the course of study in the University, 
the Normal School, the Agricultural College, and many of the colleges of the 
State. For the ungraded schools of the rural districts a uniform course of 
study for country schools has received almost universal adoption, and is in 
very general use, with the most beneficial results. The value of a carefully 
outlined course of study in unifying and harmonizing the work and securing 
the wisest working plans for the schools, is conceded by all teachers and 
school officers who desire to avail themselves of the best means of advancing 
the interests of the schools. 

ARBOK DAY. 

In general a school-house contains an acre of ground. If nntural sh.srlp 




STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, CEDAR FALLS. 

does not already exits the law directs that trees for shade and ornament 
shall be planted and cared for. This enactment led the way for the State- 
wide observation of tree-planting, and since 1887 a day has been designated 
for this annual spring festival. An Arbor Day pamphlet containing suitable 
lessons on nature, with choice selections about trees, birds, and flowers has 
been sent out from the Department of Public Instruction each year in 
numbers sufficient to secure uniform exercises in all the schools. Emulation 
and a just pride in local surroundings have been stimulated by the naming 
of trees planted, and the floating of a school flag on Arbor Day, making this 
the children's own day of patriotic celebration. Thus it has come to pass 
that though not legally established, Arbor Day has found such favor with 
the people that its continuance is assured. 

STATE UNIVERSITY. 

This grand institution stands at the head of the educational system. It 



EDUCATION IN IOWA. 103 

is intended that the worlc of instruction shall commence where that of the 
best high schools ends. The ungraded rural schools are the large and mas- 
sive base, the graded schools of the towns and villages and the high schools 
of the cities, the intermediate blocks, and the State University is the crown 
of an enduring monument, our system of free public schools. 

Both sexes have been admitted to all departments of the Universit}' on 
au equal footing since 1859, The first class in the collegiate department 
graduated in 1863. The law department was established in 18G8, the 
medical in 1870, and the homeopathic medical in 187G. A dental and a 
pharmaceutical department have since been added. Seventy-nine persons 
are employed in the work of instruction, and 930 students are in attendance. 

STATE NOKMAI. SCHOOL. 

This important factor in the school work of Iowa was established in 
1870. From the first the school has enjoyed the greatest prosperity 
Enlarged several times by the addition of increased facilities, the school 
has always been patronized to the utmost limit of its capacity. Its students 
are everywhere sought for as teachers and their work in the schools has 
proven clearly the wisdom of the State in affording to those about to teach, 
an opportunity to fit themselves in a su^Derior manner for this important 
work. 

THE AGRICULTURAL COI^LEGE 

offers six courses of study. It is designed that instruction shall be fur- 
nished in all the arts and sciences that have any bearing upon agriculture. 
Of the large income a goodly amount is expended each year directly upon 
investigations and experiments, and in practical instruction in agriculture 
and horticulture. 

CHARITABLE SCHOOLS. 

Iowa provides bountifully for those prevented by infirmity from receiv- 
ing instruction in schools for other children. The College for the blind, the 
School for the Deaf, and the Institution for the Feeble Minded, supply for 
these wards of the State the very best facilities that can be secured. The 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home and Home for Indigent Children furnishes care 
and instruction for manj' who otherwise would be homeless. 

CLOSING SUMMARY. 

Attendance on the schools is voluntary. The school population, 5 to 21, 
in 1892 w^as 675.024. The enrollment in public schools was 509,830. It 
should be noted that this number does not include the many of school age 
in attendance upon private schools, colleges, and other institutions of learn- 
ing than the public schools. 

The average monthly salary paid males was $37.76, paid females, S30.78. 
The schools were continued for an average of 158 days during the year, at 
an average cost of tuition for each pupil of !^1.81 per month. 

The census of 1880 credited Iowa with a lower percentage of illiteracy 
than any other State of the Union. In the results of the census of 1890 no 
doubt this exalted position will be maintained easily. This is indeed a high 
honor and an enviable distinction. 

The school facilities of Iowa are being improved every year, better 



104 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



buildings are erected, teachers are paid a higher monthly compensation 
and relatively the attendance upon the schools is higher than at any time in 
the previous history of the State. The public schools are open to all 
residents, the children of poor parentage equally with those born to 
affluence, to persons of color as well as those of lighter skin, the idea being 
free, universal education. From the humblest rural school to the highest 





m'A^^ti^'^.i 



^^^M^i:^^ 



IB 




M 



:^ 



:4J,: j:''"» ;* -^luiTOJ 



,„ iir'.'fc^f^.' SBsr w„«ii';„: 



WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA. 

class-room in the State University, equal freedom of access is offered and 
all are invited to the fullest enjoyment of the invaluable privileges so liber- 
ally provided for the fortunate youth of this noble State. The interest 
which the people of Iowa have always manifested in all that pertains to 
education furnishes abundant ground for confidence in the continued growth 
and development of their matchless system of free schools. 

In 1876 at the Centennial Exhibition, the schools of Iowa made a very 
creditable showing. At the Exposition in New Orleans in 1884 and 1885, 
Iowa received a diploma of honor for her collective educational display, 
and certificates of special merit were given to individual schools. The 
enviable distinction conferred upon Iowa by the award of first honors at the 
Paris Exhibition of 1880, and the bestowal of a gold medal and a handsome 



PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 105 

•diploma, gave our proud State added reasons for self-cougratulation, and 
increased the zeal of its people in the cause of education. 

It requires no gift of prophecy to trace out the future path of Iowa. An 
observing eye need but take the past for a precedent, the present for an 
earnest, to draw a vast panorama of prosperity, such as our Union has never 
-witnessed, and yet one which Iowa will not fail herself to excel. 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 

The people of Iowa are concerned to provide and disseminate sound 
reading and have given earnest attention to the establishment of public 
libraries ; not only to their establishment in connection with State and city 
schools but also by generous contributions to establish such institutions in 
our chief cities and also in connection with secular and denominational 
schools and Universities. The State Library founded in 1840 contains now 
42,637 volumes and has become one of the great Libraries of the countrj\ 
The State Historical Library at Iowa City, founded in 1857, contains 15,000 
volumes. The library of the State University embraces 28,344 volumes, the 
library of its law school 15,000 volumes. The Iowa State Agricultural Col- 
lege 9,500 volumes. The Library of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons is the largest known collection of Masonic literature in the country, 
■containing 12,000 volumes, gathered since its establishment in 1844. The 
Library of the Davenport Academy of Sciences contained at latest report 
27,416 volumes. The Burlington Free Public Library catalogues 12,954 
volumes. The Council BluflEs Free Library 14,894 volumes. The Iowa 
Official Register for 1893 reports one hundred and seven libraries in the 
State. Thirteen of the number belonging to State schools, or are State 
property ; twenty-one belong to denominational schools ; three to Young 
Mens' Christian Associations ; and eight to secular colleges or academies. 
The whole number of volumes reported in the several libraries being 493,820. 
The report as published was not complete, there b eing many parochial 
and other school libraries not reported. There are in the State many large 
and valuable professional and other private libraries of wdiich no enumer- 
ation is made. 

CHURCHES AND CHURCH WORK IN IOWA. 

We have shown elsewhere that the people of Iowa spend upwards of 
seven million dollars yearly in support of their common or public schools ; 
they spend other large sums each year in support of parochial and other 
private schools, secular and denominational colleges and professional and 
technical schools. They show large interest in securing for their young 
people the means of an intellectual culture essential to useful and honorable 
life. They recognize also the importance of the proper culture of the 
moral faculties and desiring the predominance of sobriety, piety and good 
order, they not only tax themselves to provide facilities for public education 
but they contribute voluntarily large gifts to promote religious instruction 
and moral culture. No tax is or can be levied in this State for the building 
•of churches or the support of the institutions of religion. 



»o6 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Devoted Christian men and women came in with the first immigratioo 
in the permanent settlement qf the territory. Loyal alike to their God, 
their Christian profession and the moral interests of the communities they 
were establishing, they soon invited the services of the ministers of religion, 
and in their humble circumstances generously planned and labored to secure 
this beautiful region to the dominion of their Lord. They endured priva- 
tions, worshiped in lowly cabins, often in "Gods first Temples," the shading 
grove, and by their fidelity to Christian principles, made the religious free- 
dom, privileges and moral excellence we now enjoy a gracious possibility. 

Enthusiasm in religious work led to the discovery of Iowa. The settle- 
ment of the territory did not immediately follow its discovery. One hun- 
dred and sixty years passed before the first settlers came to found homes in 
the area now constituting this State. In that flight of time, through the 
leadings of Divine Providence, great intellectual, moral and political changes 
occurred. Inventive genius evolved new agencies of moral, as well as 
intellectual, mechanical and military power, that resulted in vast changes, 
not only in their geography, but also in the social condition and the relig- 
ious ideas pervading Christian nations. Under divine guidance this fertile- 
and divinely favored region was reserved for settlement until these forces 
were in effective operation and an intelligent, liberal. Christian citizenship,, 
hating oppression and loving righteousness, should bring to this "beautiful 
land" the highest type of Christian civilization ever enjo3'ed by men. 

"When the permanent settlement of Iowa began in 1833, the first emi- 
grants were attracted to the vicinity of Dubuque and that place was founded. 
Galena, on the east side of the river, by its lead mining had become an 
active frontier town, and ministers of religion soon crossed to the new set- 
tlement west of the river. On the 8th day of August of the year named, a 
Congregational minister visited the new place and held religious services- 
at the dwelling of a Mrs. Willoughby, the first religious service, so far as 
now known, ever held within the boundaries of the State. Soon thereafter 
Father McMahon, a Catholic clergyman, celebrated mass at the house of 
Patrick Quigley, in the new village. On the 6th of November the same 
year the Rev. Barton Randle, a missionary of the M. E. Church visited it 
and held services in a private house. Early in the following summer he 
organized a class in the town, the first religious society, so far as history 
shows, formed in Iowa. During that season the Methodists built a smalL 
church of logs, 20x26 feet, it being the first religious structure erected in. 
the State. From these small beginnings, then offering but dim prospect of 
rapid or great enlargement, have grown the great religious plants that now 
cover the State with richness of blessing and yield their rich fruitage of 
cultured. Christian beneficence now sent forth, to carry the tidings of grace 
from this to other peoples. 

It will be noticed that in this brief period, of fifty-nine years, this great 
work of building up our Christian societies, with their conferences, asso- 
ciations, yearly meetings, synods. Presbyteries, elderships, and assemblies, 
with their beautiful Christian temples, parochial schools, seminaries, col- 
leges and universities has been organized and accomplished, and the 
millions raised that were required for their support and endowment. In 
those fifty-nine years there were crosses borne and privations endured but. 



CHURCHES AND CHURCH WORK IN IOWA. 



107 




A WESTERN IOWA PIONEER CHURCH. 




ITS LINEAL DESCENDANT. 



io8 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

there were vronderful accomplishments. Thousands, of liberal devisers of 
liberal things in Christian work, "crossed the flood," but their godly devo- 
tion won increasing thousands to take their places, and so as the workmen 
fell the work progressed with the results we present. 

CHURCH STRENGTH IN 1850. 

The census of 1850, taken but seventeen years after the settlement of 
the State began, presented many interesting facts regarding church work in 
the young State. It enumerated 207 church edifices, of the value of $177,- 
425, an average value for each edifice of $809 ; they having a seating capacity 
of 43,529 persons, a small fraction less than one-fourth ot the entire popula- 
tion. The total number of edifices then averaged seven to each of the 
twenty-nine settled counties. They were divided among thirteen denomi- 
nations, as follows : Baptists 23, Christians 11, Congregationalists 14, 
Episcopalian 5, Friends 5, German Reformed 4, Lutheran 5, Methodist 76, 
Moravian 3, Presbyterian 38, Roman Catholic 18, Union 3, Universalist 1, 
Minor Sects 1. The total value of Church property reported in that census 
being $335,412. 

CHURCH STRENGTH IN 1870. 

Passing over two decades we reach the census year of 1870. Though 
the rebellion of 1861, with its awful cost of life and treasure had involved 
Iowa as it had involved every other State, immense progress was made 
during that trying period in all lines of church work. This census, the 
fourth national enumeration made in the State, reported 1,446 church 
edifices with seating capacity for 431,709 persons, being 38 in each 100 of 
the population. The value of church property had increased during the 
period to $5,730,352, an increase during the twenty years of $5,484,841, a 
gain of more than twenty fold, a sum larger than the original amoiuit being 
added for each year of the period. The Baptists then had 165 church 
edifices, a gain of 142 ; the Disciple body 48, a gain of 37 ; the Episcopalian 
church 36, a gain of 31 ; the Congregational church 125, a gain of 111 ; the 
Evangelical Association 11 ; the Friends 60, a gain of 55 ; the Lutheran 
body 45, a gain of 40 ; The Methodist Episcopal church 492, a gain of 416 ; 
the Presbyterian body 222, a gain of 184 ; the Reformed Church in the U. 
S. 13 ; the Reformed Church in America 4 ; the Roman Catholic church 165, 
a gain of 147 ; the Adventists 10 ; the Unitarian body 2, Universalist 15, 
United Brethren in Christ 28. The total increase of church edifices during 
the period being 1,239. Surely the devoted Christian men and women in 
those years of trial, made great sacrifices to promote religious interests in 
the State. 

Religious work in all communities is a vital factor to their truest pros- 
perity. The work done by those devoted godly men and women who 
worked out these grand results in Christian work in the formative years of 
our commonwealth did much to accomplish its permanent prosperity. The 
■census of religious work here presented, reveals not only the religious 
devotion of our people but also the general diffusion of religious privileges 
■throughout the State. 

DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATION. 

In our researches regarding denominational organization in Iowa, we 



CHURCHES AND CHURCH WORK IN IOWA. 109. 

found in 1850 thirteen denominations existing and owning church edifices. 
The early settlers coming here to found homes brought with them their dis- 
tinctive religious ideas, and sought to establish them. In 1870 a larger 
number of denominational organizations were reported. In the exercise of 
the freedom of religious opinion, secured to every citizen by our laws 
denominational organizations had multiplied. 

The figures we herein present reveal a very great advance in this im- 
potant interest since 1870, and yet great as they appear they fall far short 
of presenting the real accomplishment. The returns for many of the 
churches named being the statistics for 1889, they being the latest possible 
to obtain, we having to take their statistics from the last national census. 
Some denominations decline for " conscience sake " to furnish the informa- 
tion desired, others do not gather their statistics in such form as to enable 
them to furnish the information sought, respecting their work within this 
State. In a few cases the church ofllcials addressed were not willing to 
take the time necessary to compile or gather the items we desired, the 
work requiring extensive correspondence. Ouj* school statistics are 
gathered under legal authority. The reportiuir of church statistics is en- 
tirely voluntarj'. Many ministers and other church officials however aided 
us most kindl}' in the matter. 

Only three denominations have organized existence in every county of 
the State, namely, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Roman Catholic. The 
Presbyterian church by a mutual arrangement with the Congregational 
churches have no organization in several counties, but in seven of the eight 
counties in which the Presbj^terian church is unorganized the Congrega- 
tionalists have organized churches, so that only Worth county is without a 
Congregational or Presbyterian church. In the counties of Davis, Decatur 
Madison, Monroe, Ringgold, Taylor and Warren there are no Lutheran 
organizations reported by the United States Census. We have tabulated 
eighty distinct denominational organizations in the State. Many of these 
however are divisions of general bodies, as the Methodist, Presbyterian 
and Lutheran. In some cases difference in language or nationality is the 
cause of separate organization. In others differences in the construction of 
expressions in their articles of faith. Other divisions have grown out of 
matters relating to social state, as dress or secrecy. Some of the Plymouth 
brethren, and the body we have denominated Christ's Church, deny being a 
sect or separate denomination, yet they are bound together by such ties of 
affiliation as constitute them separate and distinct bodies. We have not 
given any figures in connection with the latter named body as there are no 
means of obtaining any statistics regarding it. They deny having any 
officiary or leadership. The editor of " The Tumbling Stone," Toledo, Ohio,, 
who may be regarded as their chief minister informs us that he is ac- 
quainted with them in forty-four towns in this State. 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



DENOMINATIONS. 



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The New Church, (Swedeiiborgian). 

The Salvation Army 

Adventist Churches — 
Life and Advent Christian Union... 

Church of God (Adventist) 

Seventli ]^ay Adventist Church 

Advent Christian Church 



The Theosophical Society 

Brethren in Christ (River Brethren) ... 

Moravian Cliurch 

Plymouth Brethren 

Christ's Church (Come-outers) 

The Mennonite Churches — 

The Mennonite Church 

The Amish Mennonite Church 

•General Conference Mennonite Church. . 
Mennonite Brethren in Christ 

The Reformed Churches — 

The Reformed C hurch in America 

The Reformed Church in the United States 
The Christian Reformed Church 

The Baptist Churches — 
The German Baptist 'Conservative). ... 
The German Baptist (Progressive). 
The (ierman Baptist (Old Order). 

Old Two Seed Baptist 

Seventli Day Baptist Church 

Primitive Baptist Church 

Free Will Baptist Church 

Regular Baptist' Church 



German Evangelical Synod of N. America 
Roman Catholic Church 

Jewish Congregations — 

■Orthodox Jewish C ongregation 

Reformed Jewish Congregation 

Society of Friends— 

Friends (Orthodox) 

Friends (Hicksite) 

Friends (Wilburite) 



Re-Organized Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter Day Saints 

Independent Churches of Christ in Chris- 
tian Union 

Church of God (Winebrennarian) 

Evangelical Association 

United Brethren in Christ 

United Brethren in Christ (Old Consti'tion) 

Spiritualists 

Christadelphians 

Congregationalists 

Uni versalists ,[,[ 

Unitarian Churches '.'..'.'.. 

The Presbyterian Churches — 

The United Presbyterian Church of North 
America 

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 
the United States of America 

Reformed Presbyterian Church in the 
United States of America 

General Synod of the Reformed Presby- 
terian Church 

Associate Presbvterian Church of N. A. 

Welsh Calvanistic .Methodist Church 

Presbyterian Church of the U. S. of N. A. 



2,000 
65,000 
17,300 



4,500 



10,000 

6,700 

5,950 

500 

90,900 
(58,850 
18,000 

49,505 
6,850 
2,600 

4,300 

9,950 

65,820 

1,277,435 

110.300 
3,843,400 



58,000 

102,682 
3,800 
12,350 



50,500 

21,500 

25,000 

178,135 

326,300 

19,200 

23,075 

6' 

1,231,886 

218,300 

78,500 



314,301 

34,550 

21,900 

1,000 

5,300 

7,650 

1,552,800 



19 



121 
2,223 
1,272 

20 
40 
100 
163 



1,000 

903 

509 

14 

2,605 

2,513 

623 

2,769 

601 

100 

10 

169 

853 

2.029 

32;323 

6,902 
161,684 

50 

487 

9,760 

440 

1,539 



5,683 

1,259 
1,200 
5,069 
10,591 
272 
2,613 

24,262 

987 

1,575 



7,793 
1,167 



233 

349 

30,170' 387 



125 



365,856 



7,000 
94,161 

337,529 

20,780 

121,494 



CHURCHES AIND CHURCH WORK IN IOWA. 



DENOMINATIONS. 



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The Methodist Churches — 

The Primitive Methodist Church 

The Woi^leviUi .Methodist Church 

The Free Siethodist Churcli 

The Methodist Protestant Church 

The African Methodis^t-Episcopal Church 
The Methodist-Episcopal Church, South.. 
The Methodist-Episcopal Church 

The Lutheran Churches— 
General Synod Evangelical Lutheran 

Church 

Synodical Conference EvangTicT Lutheran 

Church .... 

Cieneral Council Evangelical Lutheran 

Church 

Joint Svnod of Ohio and other States 

llaguesSvnodNorwej'ian Lutheran Church 
Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in 

America 

Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church 

in America. 

•G e r ni a n Augsburg Synod Evangelical 

Lutheran Church 

Danish Lutheran Church Association in 

America 

United Norwegian Lutheran Church of 

America 

Independent Lutheran Congregations. . 

Protestant Episcopal Church 

Reformed Episcopal Church 

Disciples of Christ or Christians 

The Christian Church or Bible Christians 
Independent Churches of Christ in Chris- 
tian Union 

Christian Scientist 

Congregational Cuurches 

Community of True Inspiration Society 

Icarian Community 

Plymouth Hrethren 11 

Plymouth Brethren III 

Indepe ndent Congregations 

Totals 



4620 



5,000 
25,000 
.50,1.53 
105.(XH) 
87,301 
9,200 
3,669,306 



173, 

194, 

420. 
10, 
27, 

34, 

97, 

1, 

3, 

220. 
IL 

1,359, 

708, 
32, 

31. 
5. 

1,231 : 

20. 



1,000 



100 

7.50 

2,2;i0 

5,(i45 

1,820 

730 

111,389 



2,043 

18,453 

30,009 

650 

1,593 

2,211 

7,059 

70 

413 

14,819 
694 



30,988 
2,555 

1,253 

640 

33,733 

1,700 
31 
48 
166 

75 



6,567 
15, 430 



1294 1,076,133 



$ 18,485,6391 579,960 



58 



146,876 
366 



J. D, Roth, of Catasaqua, Pennsylvania, a leading statistician of the 
Lutheran chnrches in this country, estimates the expenditures of the several 
divisions of that body for church support and benevolent work in 1892 at 
$586,944. Accepting this estimate then the twenty-four denominational 
bodies which we report on this item raised and expended in their work in 
1892 the grand sum of $3,174,0o5. These twenty-four bodies raising this 
princely sum by generous donation, contributed voluntarily for the main- 
tenance and propagation of their religious convictions the sum of |9.49 for 
each of their 323,728 members. Taking the above average for the 578,756 
church members, we find that the people of Iowa voluntarily paid that year 
^5,492,394.44 for the support and advancement of religion. Not a very 
small sum to be annually voluntarily assumed and paid. Such liberality 
demonstrates, not only that the Christian people of Iowa are of generous 
■disposition, but also that they are in prosperous circumstances, and have 
•high regard for their religious convictions and privileges. 



,,2 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

The census for 1890 enumerated 4,482 churrh edifices in this State, of 
the reported value of $16,901,061, an average value of $3,771, furnishing- 
seating room for 1,175,768 persons, or 60.9 per cent, of our population. It 
enumerated and named sixty-nine denominational organizations having 
existence within Iowa. Comparing these figures with the census enumer- 
ation of the churches for 1870, they show an increase that borders on the 
marvelous, the increase in the number of church edifices being 3,058 within 
the period of twenty years, equal to one new church edifice for each 3.39' 
days of the period. Surely, glorious things may truly be spoken of the 
lengthening of the "cords" and the strengthening of the stakes of "Zion" 
in this fair, beautiful and prosperous prairie State. 

SABBATH SCHOOL WORK. 

Iowa has an active, working State Sabbath School Association which 
holds an annual convention. At its session held May, 1893, there was 
reported within the State 5,079 Sunday Schools, having 42,321 officers and 
teachers, and 342,511 schollars, a total membership of 384,832; one person in 
each five of the population of the State, according to this report, being con- 
nected with Sunday school work. Many Sabbath schools are not reported 
to the Association. 

Its report for 1892 embraced 4,782 schools. Worth county reporting the 
smallest number, 12 ; Winnebago and Palo Alto each reported 15, Wood- 
bury county reported 100, Clinton 105, Jasper 135, Linn 140, and Polk 158. 
The average to the ninety-nine counties, according to the report for 1893, is 
51.3 schools, a number that shows that our people are generously and 
earnestly engaged in this work. 

The amount expended for the year ending May, 1893, for the support of 
Sunday schools, according to the report to the State Association was $129,414, 
not a meager sum to be voluntarily given for the support of this enterprise, 
Mrs. Mattie M. Bailey, Secretary of the Association, reports that 75 per 
cent, of the Sunday schools within the State are continued throughout the 
year, and that at least one million copies of Sabbath school papers are taken 
and that the libraries of these Sabbath schools contain at least 100,000 
volumes. 

PABOCHIAL SCHOOLS, DENOMINATIONAL AND NON-SECTARIAN COLLEGES AND 

UNIVERSITIES. 

A census of church work in Iowa would not be complete nor would our 
educational work be fully shown, unless some report was made of the 
parochial schools and the denominational and secular universities and 
colleges maintained within the State. 

Our laws make no provision for exempting persons of any denomination 
or sect from the payment of school taxes, it matters not how much they may 
have paid to support schools maintained by their own sect or church. 
Neither do our laws preclude any church or sect from maintaining schools 
for the education of its youth. The colleges and universities of the State 
are mostly built and maintained by religious denominations. No appropri- 
ation of any part of the school funds raised by taxation can be legally made 
for the support of denominational schools. 

The three State schools, the Iowa State University, the Agricultural 
Colleo-e and the State Normal School are entirely non-sectarian. We have 
many%ther secular schools of high grade. 



CHURCHES AND CHURCH WORK liN IOWA. 



113 






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IOWA PALACES. ,,g 

PAHOCHIAL SCHOOLS. 

The Roman Catholic, several branches of the Lutheran bodj-, and some 
other churches maintain denomiuatioual schools. Desiring as a part of 
their education, the instruction of their youth in their reli<rious doctrines 
and usages, they spend large sums for the maintainance of their parochial 
or church schools. In the Diocese of Davenport there are 145 Catholic 
churches, six academies instructing 1,100 students, and 37 parochial schools 
with 4,510 pu])ils. The church also maintains hospitals and orphan asy- 
lums at large expense. In the Diocese of Dubuque there are 250 churches 
1 seminary, 1 college, 8 academies and 100 parochial schools with 12,500 
pupils. We addressed circular letters to upwards of 100 of these schools 
and received replies from twenty-two. They reported 2,755 pupils, namely, 
1,305 males and 1,405 females, they having six male and sixty-five female 
instructors, with 2,415 volumes in their libraries. Ten of the twenty-two 
schools reported an aggregate yearly income of $4,750, and eighteen re- 
ported an endowment of $142,200. 

We have been unable to obtain the statistics of the Luthern schools, as 
the several Lutheran Synods are not bounded by State lines and do not 
gather their statistics with reference to such lines, some Synods embracing 
several States. Rev. Geo. H. Schnurr of Nevada, Iowa, a gentleman who 
verj' kindly aided us in collecting facts regarding the Lutheran body, wrote 
us under date of July 7, 1893: "I am not able to give you the fi"-ures 
desired. The fact is that parochial school statistics have never been 
gathered or arranged by States. From incomplete statistics that I have 
seen, a safe estimate could be made at 15,000 pupils." 

It is an encouraging fact that the several religious denominations 
within this State are earnestly interested in securing for their youth most 
liberal educational advantages. These parochial schools and denomina- 
tional seminaries colleges and universities, furnishing educational advan- 
tages, many of them in the higher grades require large sums, which are 
generously given for their support. 

We recognize fully the incompleteness of this report of church and 
school work within the State. Our attempt has revealed to us the difliculty 
of gathering complete statistics on these lines. We trust, however, that the 
facts we present will interest intelligent readers. They have cost us great 
labor — having involved extensive correspondence and research. A proper 
effort in the coming State census might present v complete enumeration of 
those interesting matters. 

IOWA'S PALACES. 

Some seven j'ears ago the palace idea for exhibiting agricultural, hor- 
ticultural, mechanical and mineral productions and other resources origi- 
nated in this State, the citizens of Sioux City being the first to attempt its 
development, they adopting corn as the principal material for the decor- 
ation of their structure which was worthily named the "Corn Palace." It 
was made a thing of beauty and its uniijue decorations won large favor and 
drew to the city thousands of visitors. 

A number of counties in Southeastern Dakota, Northeastern Nebraska, 



ii6 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



1 '^r'^i^::^^:^^&M 






SIOUX CITY HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. 




MOUNT ST, JOSEPHS ACADEMY, DUBUQUE, IOWA. 



IOWA PALACES. 



«>7 



and Nortliwestern Iowa combined with the people of Sioux Citj' to malie 
exhibits of their resources and produciious in the Palace Exposition, special 
booths or space being assigned to each county for its special exhibit. These 
exhibits at once demonstrated that Sioux City was central in a fine agricul- 
tural and fruit growing region, while the fine artistic and truly beautiful 
decorations of the spacious palace wrought out of corn and other grains 
and grasses at once won extended fame and favor. 

The exterior as well as the interior of the Corn Palace was decorated 
with corn, all varieties of that cereal in size, color and tint being used in 
happy combination of form and shade which made the Corn Palace to the 
beholder, when the rich autumn sun light shone iipon it, a thing of 
surprising grandeur. The decorations, while they were of Nature's perfect 
painting and so most pleasing to the eye, were not durable for external 
adornment and when the annual exposition closed the Corn Palace struc- 
ture was removed and reconstructed the following year in entirely new 
architectural and decorative designs. This gave the artists drawing the 
designs for and superintending the decorations of the structure fine 
opportunity for studying the blending of the rich tints and many rich colors 
found in the numerous varieties of this kingly cereal so as to produce in its 
use the most marvelous, yet pleasing artistic effects. The use of corn as 
decorative material reaching a happy climax in the decoration of the Iowa 
Pavilliou in the Agricultural Building and the Exhibition Hall in the Iowa 
Building at the Columbian Exposition, where the visiting thousands of 
intelligent people from foreign countries as well as from the eastern and 
southern states of our country were enraptured with the beauty of these Iowa 
structures. Their charming decorations accomplished by the intelligent 
artist's use of the simple products of Iowa's fertile farms and fields com- 
manding their admiration. The Corn Palace was a grand advertisement of 
the energy, culture and enterprise of the people of the city giving it being. 

THE FLAX PALACE. 

Forest City, the county seat of Winnebago County, is central in the 
leading flax producing I'egion west of the Mississippi river. Its stirring 
business men united their energies and capital for the erection of a Flax 
Palace. That important farm product being susceptible of use in beautiful 
ornamentation in the hands of persons of suitable taste. The city named 
and the people of the region surrounding it may not equal in wealth the 
larger and older palace cities of Iowa, but they energetically took hold of 
the project and the Flax Palace with an exhibit of the superior farm pro- 
ducts of northern Iowa favorably advertised through the medium of visiting 
thousands the superior advantages of that beautiful region, abounding in 
natural advantages, and won thereto a large immigration and rapid 
development. The " Palaces " of Iowa by their unique structure, attractive 
adornment, novel and superbly fine exhibits of the resources of their sur- 
roundings attracting visitors from other states rendered valuable service in 
spreading knowledge of our excellencies and inviting desirable immigration 
with capital to assist in the further improvement and i)rogress of the 
country surrounding them. 



ii8 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



THE BLUE GRASS PALACE. 

The enterprising citizens of Creston inspired by the success of Sioux 
City with its Corn Palace, conceived the idea of a " Blue Grass Palace," and 
a number of counties in the southwestern portion of the State were organ- 
ized in what was named the Blue Grass League, to make an annual exhibit 
of their productions and resources in a structure in the erection and decora- 
tion of which the grasses, especially Blue Grass should predominate. A 
very commodious structure was erected and attractively decorated with the 
materials named. Space was assigned to the several counties forming the 







league. Each county decorating its booth and making exhibits therein. 
The varied productions of that wonderfully fertile portion of this queenly 
State were placed on exhibition and thousands were attracted from distant 
parts by the beauty of the unique structure and the rich and varied exhibit 
it contained. The Blue Grass Palace and its attractive ornamentation and 
industrial exhibits attracted scores of emigrants to the beautiful Blue Grass 
region. 

THE COAL PALACE. 

The citizens of the busy manufacturing city of Ottumwa, originated 
the idea of a Coal Palace. That city lies in a great coal producing region, 
has extensive water power and has developed important manufacturing 



IOWA BOOKS AND AUTHORS. 119 

industries. It planned for an annual exhibit of its productions in its Coal 
Palace. It may be thought by some that there could be no beauty developed 
from the dark, smutty black diamonds, but cultured architectural and 
decorative skill works out new forms of beauty often from very crude 
materials. The Coal Palace was made winsome in architectural design, 
and while it may not have been so richly or gorgeously beautiful as the 
Corn Palace it was made serviceable by its fine exhibits of the products of 
the fields, the orchards, gardens, mills, shops, and mines of the growing city 
and the region surrouuding it, and Ottumwa is deservedly known as one of 
the Palace Cities of the State. 

IOWA BOOKS AND AUTHORS. 



By rirs. Sara B. Maxwell. 



It has been said that Iowa is too young and has no time nor opportunity 
to write " great " books. Iowa is young and has of necessity heretofore 
devoted her time and energy to developing her material resources. She 
therefore deserves the more credit for the literary progress she has made 
and for the many good books she has written ; books which compare favor- 
ably with those, in the same line, of any other place. 

Theorists claim that we have not the environment necessary to the in- 
spiration of the grandest themes. This may be so ; but the imagination of 
the Rev. Samuel McClurg Osmond needed not the aid of lofty mountain 
peak, or rapidly rolling river, when he penned the beautiful story of 
" Sulamith." A prairie flower called forth the sweet and tender " Golden 
Rod," from the heart of Rev. G. W. Crofts. No battle array, nor sound of 
clashing arms inspired the production of the " Siege of Calais," by Rev. A. 
L. Frisbie. We have no mountains ; no ruined castles ; no ancient history ; 
no ghostly inheritances to project themselves through our fancy ; but we 
have broad rolling prairies and an invigorating atmosphere which gives us 
broad views, humane hearts, and a common sense capable of grasping and 
analyzing the problems of life. 

Book-making in Iowa began at an early day and we now have over 
seven hundred authors of books and pamphlets. The limits of this chapter 
allow the mention of only a few of the best known. 

To Prof. James Pierson belongs the honor of having published the first 
poem of any length, viz: "The .Judaid," a book of 267 pages, published in 
1842. 

Many Iowa books have attained national reputation and intlueuce, and 
some are known beyond the seas, several having been translated into other 
languages ; notably, the ethical works of W. Mcintosh Salter ; the scientific 
works of Prof. W. .J. :\IcGee, and of Charles Wachsmuth, who has been rec- 
ognized by the Russian government as authority in his specialty. 

Bishop W. Stevens Perry is known on both sides of the Atlantic as a 
scholarly writer on the annals of his church and other subjects of perma- 
nent interest. Two continents recognize Major S. H. M. Byers as a polished 
writer of both prose and poetry. "Sherman's March to the Sea" has im- 
mortalized him. The novels and stories of Miss Alice French {Octave 



120 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Thanet) and of Hamlin Garland are read and quoted everywhere. As a 
writer of tield sports, W. Bruce LefBngwell has the reputation of being 
the best in the world. "The JMedical and Moral Care of Female Patients in 
Hospital for the Insane," a paper read before the National Conference of 
Charities in Chicago, 1879. by Dr. Margaret A. Cleaves, moulded public opin- 
ion and had a far reaching influence. It was published by the government 
of New South Wales and has been quoted in English and American papers. 

One of Iowa's most interesting and instructive books is Hon. D. N. 
Richardson's " Girdle Round the Earth," full of valuable information so 
charmingly given one wishes to read it again and again. "The History of 
the Amana Society," by Prof. W. R. Perkins, is said by competent critics to 
be the finest historical monologue ever written ; critical, analytical, schol- 
arly, in every way a most valuable contribution to the literature of social 
science as well as history. 

Our law writers stand with the best in the country. 

May Rogers in her " Waverley Dictionary" has done for Scott's Waver- 
ley Novels, what G. A. Pierce did for the novels of Dickens in his "Dickens 
Dictiouar}\" 

Our good books embrace every class in the field of knowledge, but our 
greatest book is undoubtedly " The Evolution of Love," by Rev. Dr. Emory 
Miller. This has been called an " epoch making book." That it marks a 
distinct advance in the history of philosophy is acknowledged by many of 
the ablest philosophic minds and best informed scholars (in the history of 
philosophy) of the United States, who hail with profound delight the results 
of the Doctor's "hard years of thinking," recognizing that he has taken up 
the grand quest of philosophy — the finding "an ultimate imit of thought 
and thing" that will account for all variety, where Hegel, having like all 
his predecessors failed — left it, and that he has succeeded. 

For convenience of reference, w'e will, according to the latest approved 
classification, group the books into nine classes without subdivisiv)n, except 
in 3 and 8, as follows: 1, Philosophy ; 2, Religion ; 3, Sociology; 4, Phil- 
ology ; 5, Natural Science ; 6, Useful Arts ; 7, Fine Arts ; 8, Literature ; 9, 
Historj, including Biography, Geography and Travels. 

I. PHILOSOPHY, MENTAL AND MORAL. 

In philosophy there are, as far as we know, twenty books. We men- 
tion the following : 
Miller, Emory, D. D., LL. D., The Evolution of Love. 346 p. 12° Chic, 

1892. 
Patrick, Frof. G. T. W. Fragments of the Work of Heraclitus of Ephe- 
sus, on Nature. Translated from the Greek text of B^^water, with an 
introduction, historical and critical. 131 p., S" Balto., 1889. 
Salter, W. Macintosh. Ethical Religion. Phila., 1892. 
First Steps in Philosophy. Phila. 1889. 
Die Religion der Moral. Tr. into German by Prof. Dr George Von 

Gyzicki of the University of Berlin. 358 p., Leipzig, 1885. 
Moralische Reder. Tr. same as above, 93 p , Leipz., 1889. 
Zedelyke, Relige. Tr. into Dutch by Rev. P. H. Huganholtz, Trs. of 
Amsterdam. 277 p., Amsterdam, 1888. 



IOWA BOOKS AND AUTHORS. 121 

NoTK. Many of Mr. Salter's lectures are translated iuto French. 
Welch, Dr. A. S. Talks on Psychology. N. Y., 1889. 

Wood, Rev. Stephen. Physics and Metaphysics, in the Light of the New 
Philosophy. 67 p., 8 % Chic. 1884. 

ir. KKMGIOX. 

Not?:. In this class there are so many good books which have been 
widely circulated in the denominations to which the authors belong that it 
is difficult to select the few to fill the allotted space ; therefore popular 
books may be omitted, from necessity. There are about two hundred re- 
ligious books of Iowa authorship. 

Adams, i2et7. Ephraim The Iowa Band. A History of Early Congregation- 
alism in Iowa. 184 p., 12% Host., 1870. 
Archibald, Rev. Andrew The Bible Verified. New ed., 252 p., 16° Phila., 

1892. 

Same in Spanish. 
Blair, Eld. W. W. Joseph the Seer. 208 p., 16% Lamoni, 1889. 
Carpenter, Rev. G. T. The Bible vs. Spiritualism. 107 p., 16% Oskaloosa, 

1870. 
Dunn, Rev. L. A. Foot-prints of the Redeemer in the Holy Laud. 308 p., 

12% D. M., 1880. 
Ells, Eliza Truth Made Manifest. 391 p., 12 % Lamoni, 1891. 
Fox, 3/ rs. Nettie Pease. Mysteries of the Border Land. 536 p., 12% Ot- 

tumwa, 1883. 
Hallock, Mrs. M. A. The Story of Moses 11., 246 p., Phila., 1888. 
Hattlestadt, Rev. O. S. Historiske Meddelelser om den Norske Augustana 

Sj'node i America. 264 p., 16°, Decorah, 1887. 
Herron, Rev. G. D. A Plea for the Gospel. 108 p., 10% N. Y., 1892. 

The Larger Christ, il., 122 p., 16% Chic, 1891. 
Hofer, Andrea. The Christ Child. 12% Chic, 1892. 
Johnson, Rev. B. A. Vision of the Age, or Lectures on the Apocalypse. 

360 p., 12% St. Louis. 
Kempker, J. F. History of the ^l^atholic Church in Iowa. 64 p., 16% unb., I. 

C, 1886. 
Lambert, £/d. J. R. What is Man? 249 p., 24% Lamoni. 1891. 
Magoun. H. W. The Asuri — Kalpa. A Witchcraft Practice of the Atharva- 

Veda. 33 p., 8% Balto., 1889. 
"ilauuscript Found," or Manuscript Story of the Late Rev. Solomon 

Spaulding. 144 p., 16% Lamoni, 1885. 
Mikkelseu, Rev. A. Xogle af en Prests Erfaringer. 347 p., 12°, Decorah, 

1893. 
Mitchell, Rev. S. H. Historical Sketches of Iowa Baptists. 504 p., 8% 

Burl., 1886. 
Perkins, Prof. W. R. Trappists of Melleray. 

Perry, Rt. Rev. W: Stevens. Historical Collections of the American Colon- 
ial Church. (And some seventy other books.) 
Taylor, Rev. Landon The Battlefield Reviewed. 375 p., 12% Chic, 1881. 
Wulfsberg, iJet'. E. Praedikener over Ivirke-Aarets Evangelier. 728 p., 

9% Decorah, 1888. 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



III. SOCIOLOGY. 



Note. Under this head the sub-divisions Education and Law are 
given. There are about sixty-five books in this class and sixty in education, 
while the law claims about seventy titles, exclusive of supreme court 
reports, etc. 
Ashby, N. B. Riddle of the Sphinx. 474 p., 8°, D. M., 1890. 

Wealth and Civilization. 293 p., 12°, Chic, 1891. 
Baker, E. P. The Money Monopoly. 189 p., 16% D. M., 1892. 
Baylies, Nicholas. Political Controversy Between the United States and 

Great Britain. 196 p., 12% D. M., 1885. 
Brown, Leonard. Pending Conflict. 144 p., 8% D. M., 1890. 

Rights of Labor. 68 p, D. M., 1875. 
Cloud, D. C. Monopolies and the People. 462 p., 8% Davenport, 1873. 
Dean, H. Clay. Crimes of the Civil War, and Curse of the Funding Sys- 
tem. 512 p., 8% Balto., 1868. 
Duryea, J. B. Business of Banking and Commercial Credits. Ed. 2, 423, 

p., 8% D. M., 1892. 
Gibbons, J. Tenure and Toil. 316 p., 16% Phila., 1888. 
Macy, Prof. Jesse Our Government ; How It Grew, What It Does, and 

How It Does It. Rev. Ed. 296 p., 16% Bost., 1890. 
Miller, Dr. Ign. Communism. 24 p., pavi. 
Price, Hiram Speeches and Letters. 399 p., 8% Wash , 1889. 
Van Valkenberg, J. Knights of Pythias Manual and Text Book. 502 p., 

12% Canton, O. ]889. 

III. SOCIOLOGY. EDUCATION. 

Bell, Hill M. Rhetoric Book for the Use of Students, sq. 8 % 1891. 
Blakeslee, Prof. T. M. Academic Trigonometry, Plane and Spherical 

Chart. 35 p., 16% Best., 1888. 
Ensign Prof. Laura Outlines, Tables and Sketches in United States His- 
tory. 82 p., 16% Chic, 1885. 
Gates, Pres. G. A. Iowa College — Baccalaureate Sermons, 1887, '89 '91. 
Kratz, Pro/". H. Naturalism in Pedagogy, pa?u. 

King, Rev. W. F. Coroell College — Baccalaureate Sermons, 1883, '88. 
Macy, Prof. Sherman R. Outline Course of Theoretical Pharmacy. 127 

p., 24% D. M., 1891. 
Morris, R. Anna Physical Education, 192 p., 11% Chic, 1892. 
Parish, Pro/. L. W. Analysis of Compayres Pedagogy. 105 p., 16% C. F. 

1892. 
Scott, Dr. C. Etymological Outlines of the Elements of Physiology and 

Anatomy. 92 p., 24% 1890. 
Shoup, Prof. W. J. Graded Didactics, 2v. 12% Chic, 1889. 

History and Science of Education. 303 p., 12% Chic, 1891. 
Thompson, Albert H. Examiner's Companion. 380 p., 12% Chic, 1890: 
Throndsen, K. Norske Laesebog. 2v. Decorah, 1892. 
Warman, Prof. E. B. How to Read, Recite and Impersonate. 

Gestures and Attitudes ; An Exposition of the Delsarte Philosophy. 

416 p., 8% Chic, 1892. 

Physical Training ; or the Care of the Body. 190 p., 12% 1890. 



IOWA BOOKS AND AUTHORS. 123 

Welch, W. N. ilow to Organize, Classify and Teach a Country School. 107 

p., 12% Chic, 1880. 
Ylvisaker, Rev. Joh. Norwegian Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. History 

from 1861 to 1800. 68 p., ob. 12% Decorah, 1890. 

Same in Norwegian. 

III. SOCIOLOGY. LAW. 

Baker, Andrew J. Annotated Constitution of the United States. Chic, 

1892. 
Brown, Timothy Commentaries on the .Jurisdiction of Courts. 8% Chic, 

1891. 
Dillon, Judge J: F. Law- of Municipal Bonds. 8°, St. L., 1876. 

Removal of Causes from State to Federal Courts. Ed. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5,. 
St. L., 1876, '79. 

Treatise on the Law of Municipal Corporations. Ed. 1, 2, 3 and 4, 
1872 '90. 
Field, G. W. Doctrine of Ultra Vires. 8% D. M. 1881. 

Lawyers' Briefs. 6v., 8°, Phiia., 1884, '86. 

Treatise on the Law of Damages. 8°, D. M. 1876. 
Kinne, Judge, G. L. Pleading, Practice and Forms. 8°' Chic, 1888. 
Lacey, J. F. Digest of Railway decisions. 2v., 8°, Chic, 1875. 
McClain, Prof. Emlin Annotated Code and Statutes of Iowa. 2v., 8% 

Chic, 1888. 
McCrary, G. W. American Law of Elections. Ed. 2 and 3, 1880-1887. 
Miller, Justice Samuel F. Constitution of the United States ; Three Lec- 
tures before the University Law School of Washington. 8% Wash., 
1880. 

Biographies of the Judges of the United States Supreme Court. Rev. 
ed. D. M., 1875. 
Miller, Judge W. E. Probate, Law and Practice in Iowa. 8 , D. M., 1890. 

Revised Annotated Code of Iowa. 2 v, g°, D, M., 1890. 

Treatise on Pleading and Practice in the Courts of Iowa Under the 
Code. Rev. ed. 8°, D. M., 1875. 
Rorer, t/wdgre David American Inter-State Law. Ed. 2, 8% Chic, 1878. 

Law of Railways. 2v. 8°, Chic, 1884. 
Shiras, t/rtdge O. P. Eciuity Practice in the United States Courts. 12% 

Chic, 1889. 
Withrow, T. F. Ed. American Corporation Cases. 4v. N. Y. 

IV. I'lIILOLOfiY. 

Note. So far as ascertained, thirty titles comprise the books in Phil- 
ology. 

Bell, Prof. Hill M. Orthoepy and Orthography. D. M., 1892. 

Currier, Prof. Amos N. Table of Latin Sutlixes and a Table of Prefixes. 

1889. 
Ely, Prof. E. H. Liitiu in the Public Schools, pam. 
Pollard, Mrs. Rebecca S. Manual of Synthetic Reading. 217 p., 8% Chic,. 

1892. 
Shoup, Prof. W. J. Graded Speller. St. Paul, 1888. 



^M HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Warman, Prof. E. B. Practical Orthoepy. Chic, 1889. 

Wright, Prof. D. Sands Drill Book in Enolish Grammar. 16% Chic, 

1887. 

V. NATURAL SCIENCE. 

Note. Our catalogue contains seventy-five titles ; there are probably 
one hundred. 

Bennett, Pi^of. A. A. Inorganic Chemistry. Pt. 1, 357 p., 16% B., N. Y. 

and Chic, 1892. 
Bessey, Prof C. E. The Essentials of Botany. N. Y., 1889. 
Call, Prof. R. Ellsworth Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Ar- 
kansas. 1889. v2, 283 p., 8% L. R. 1891. 

Artesian Wells in Iowa, Sketch of the Physical Geography of Iowa 
(and many other valuable papers). 
McGee, Prof. W. J. Pleistocene History of Northeastern Iowa. From 

the 11th Report of the United States Geo. Survey, 1889-90. 568 p., f% 
Wash., 1791. (And a great manj^ valuable monographs). 
McLennan, Evan. Cosmical Evolution. 12% Chic, 1891. 
Macomber,J. K. Matter and Force. 98 p., 16% Ames, 1876. 
Matthews, ' Z>r. Washington On Composite Photography as Applied to 
Craniology. pis. 4% Wash. 

Ethnography and Philology of the Ilidatsa Indians. 239 p., 8% 
Wash., 1877. 
Wacksmuth, C: and Frank Springer. Revision of the Palaeocrinoidea. pts. 

1 and 2, and pt. 3 of Sections 1 and 2. 8% Phila., 1879-1886. 
White, C. A. Report of the Geological Survey of Iowa. 1870. 2v., 8% D. 

M., 1870. 

\J. USEPDL ARTS. 

Sixty books and pamphlets. 

Anderson, Nellie Van The Right Knock. 316 p., 16% Chic, 1889. 

Carpenter, C. C. Instructions to Surveyors. 129 p., 12% D. M., 1870. 

Cleaves, Dr. Margaret A. Colony of the Insane at Gheel, Belgium, 1891. 
Medical and Moral Care of Female Patients in Hospitals for the In- 
sane. 1879. 

Clute, Oscar {John Allen) The Blessed Bees. 172 p., 16% N. Y., 1878. 

Davis, Prof. Floyd Potable Water. 118 p., 12% B., N. Y. and Chic, 1891. 

Dodge, Gen. G. M. Union Pacific Railroad ; Reports of the Chief Engineer 
for 1867, '68, '80. 

Eaton, Dr. C. W. Things Young Men Should Know. 584, 187 p., D. M., 
1884. 

Goodyear, S. H. Theory of Accounts. 228 p., 8% C, R. 1890. 

Hutchinson, Dr. Woods Ed. Vis Medicatrix. D. M., 1891. 

Scott, Mrs. Mary Indian Corn as Human Food. 16% Nevada, 1891. 

Vir. FINE ARTS. 

Twenty titles, not including sheet music 
Bartlett, Prof. M. L. Class and Chorus. 176 p., 8% Chic, 1890. 
Dinsmore, G. A. Old Violins. 

Dunham, Pro/. J. R. The Banner. 160 p., ob. 16% Chic, 1886. 
Porscutt, Mark Ed. Saints Harmony. 565 p., 4% Lamoni, 1889. 



IOWA BOOKS AND AUTHORS. 125 

Leffingvvell, W. Bruce Sh<joting on Upland, Marsh and Stream. 437 p., 8% 

Chic, and N. Y., 1890. 

Wild Fowl Shooting. 373 p., 8% Chic, 1890. 
Parker, Rev. H. W. The Spirit of Beauty. Essays, Scientific and Esthetic 

Ed 2, 252 p., 12% N. Y., 1891. 
Psalmabog for den Norske Evangelisk Luteriske Kirke i Amerike. 192 n., 

16°, Decorah, 1877. 
Randall, R. H. Bethel Chimes. 144 p.. 12% Marion, Iowa, 1891. 
Taylor, Virgil C. The Enchanter. 176 p., N. Y., 1864. 
Woulett..T. Songs. The Autumn Time ; Bring Sweet Fh)wers ; Home of 

Our Fathers; and .My Maude. 

Vlir. LITERATURE. 

Thirty books. 

Note. This class is divided into general and miscellaneous, poetry and 
fiction. 

Anderson, L. J. and Xellie V. Every Day Helps. 24°, Chic, 1890. 
Burdett, Robert J. Rise and Fall of the Mustache, {humorous). 
Davidson, C. Studies intheEnglish Mystery Plays. 173 p., 8°, unh., 1892. 
Folsom. Moses Treasures of Science, History and Literature. 8°, 1876. 
Jones, Prof. R. Literature as a Means of Culture. 65 p., 16°, unb. 
Rogers, May. The Waverley Dictionary. 12°, Chic, 1885. 
Springer, J: The Caxton Reproductions, with the Early Press of Iowa. I. 

C. 1880. 
Throndseu, R. Skolelaereren og bans Son. 112 p., 12% Decorah, 1886. 
Wilkie, Frank B. Davenport, Past and Present. 
Wynu, Rev. W. H. Addresses and Reviews. 12°, n. t. p., n. d. 

Vlir. LITERATURE. POETRY. 

Sixty-fi.ve books. 
Boylan, Will M. Life's Purest Gold. 8°, Eldora, 1889. 
Butz, Caspar. Gedichte eines Deutch-Amerikaners. 8°, 312 p., Chic, 1879 
Byers, S. H. M. Happy Isles and other poems. 162 p., Ed. 2, N. Y. 1891* 
Collier, Mrs. Ada L. Lilith, The legend of the First Woman. 104 p., 16°!^ 

Bost., 1885. 
Crofts, Rev. G. W. Golden Rod. 207 p., 12°, Omaha, 1889. 
Fearing, Lilian Blanch. City by the Lake. 192 p., Chic, 1892. 
Frisbie, Rev. A. L. The Siege of Calais and other poems. 166 p., 16% D- 

M., 1880. 
Gonner, NS. Prairieblumiuen. 166 p., 8°, Dubuque, 1883. 
Judd, Rev. T. E. The Owls. 143 p., 8°, Marshalltown, 1888. 
McCreery, J. L. Songs of Toil and Triumph. 143 p., 16°, N. Y., 1883. 
Manning, Jessie Wilson. Passion of Life. 75 p., 16°, Cin., 1837. 
Osmund, Rev. S. McClurg. Sulamith. 211 p., 12°, Phila., 1892. 
Parkhurst, Clint. Poems. 153 p., 16°, Chic, 1874. 
Percival, Re\. C. S. Poetic Parallels and Simile in Song. 162 p., 13°^ 

Cleve., 1892. 
Pierson, Johnson. The Judaid. 267 p., 12°, 1842. 

Richman, DeWitt C. The Talisman and other poems. 152 p., 12°, Musca- 
tine, 1867. 



1^6 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

•Smith, Mrs. D. (Maude 3Ieredith.) The Rivulet aud Clover Blooms. 75 

p., 24°, N. Y. and Chic, 1881. 
Throndsen, K. Orkenblomster. 240 p., 24°, Decorah, 1890. 

VIII. LITEKATURE. FICTION. 

One hundred books. 
Anderson, NeDie Van. It is possible. Chic, 1891. 
Baldwin, Mrs. Mary R. Along the Anataw. N. Y., 1891. 

Around Bronton. N. Y., 1891. 
Claggett, Sue Harry. Her Lovers. Phila., 1877. 
French, Miss Alice, [Octave Thanet.) Expiation. N. Y., 1892. 

Knitters in the Sun. B. and N. Y., 1892. 

Otto the Knight, and other trans-Mississippi Stories. B. and N. Y., 1891 

We All. N. Y. 1891. 
■Garland, Hamlin. Jason Edwards. B., 1892. 

Main Travelled Roads. B., 1892. 
Harbet, Lizzie Boynton. Amore. Chic, 1892. 

Out of Her Sphere. D. M., 1871. 
Leffingwell, W. Bruce. Manulito; or a Strange Friendship. Phila., 1892. 
Smith, Mrs. D. (Maude Meredith.) The Parson's Sin, Chic, 1892. 
Vittuni, Rev. Edw. M. Head of the Firm. Bost., 1891. 
Wetmore, Mrs. Mai M. (Oaks.) Wee Folks in No-Man's Land. Chic, 1893, 

IX. HISTORY. 

Including Biography, Geography and Travels. One hundred books 
exclusive of County histories. 
Aldrich, C, Ed. Life and Times of A. B. F. Hildreth. 556 p., 12% D. M.. 

1891. 
Baylies, Nicholas. Life of General Eleazer Wheelock Ripley of the War of 

1812. 12°, D. M., 1890. 
Burrows, J. M. D. Fifty Years in Iowa. 16°, Dav., 1888. 
Byers, S. H. M. Iowa in War Times. 615 p., 8°, D. M., 1888. 
Chapin, Mrs. Nettie S. American Court Gossip; or Life at the National 

Capitol. 269 p., 13°, Marshalltown, 1877. 
Clark, Capt. J. S. Thirty-Fourth Iowa Regiment. Brief history. 
Crooke, Adj. G. Twenty -First Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry. 232 

p., 8°. Milwaukee, 1892. 
Fuller, C. E. Reminisences of James A. Garfield. 441 p., 8°, Cin., 1886. 
Fulton, A. R. Notes of the Northwest. 255 p., 8% D. M., 1878. 

Red Men of Iowa. II. 559 p., 8° D. M., 18^2. 
■Grinnell, Josiah B. Men and Events of Forty Years. 426 p., 8°, Chic, 1891_ 
IngersoU, L. D. History of the War Department. 613 p., 8°, Wash., 1880' 
Landers, Frank E. Historical Geographical Atlas of the U. S. A., from the 

Earliest Colonial Days to the present time. F°, 1889. 
Lathrop, Dr. C. H. History of the First Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. 231 p., 

Milwaukee, 1891. 
Nourse, 0. C. Iowa and the Centennial. 42 p., 12°, D. M., IS"; 6. 
Perkins, Prof. W. R. History of the Amana Society. 94 p., 8°, 1891. Pain. 
Reid, Harvey. Biographical Sketch of Enoch Long. 184 p., 8% Chic, 1884. 
Richardson, D. N. Girdle Round the Earth. 451 p., 8°, Chic, 1890. 



IOWA AND PATRIOTISM. ,27 

Rouse, il/rs. Clara B. Iowa Leaves. Six chapters. 451 p., 12 , Chic, 181)1. 
Salter, Rev. W. Life of James W. Grimes, Governor of Iowa, 1854-58. A 
Senator of the U. S. 398 p., 8°, N. Y., 1876. 
Augustus C. Dodge, Senator of the U. S. from Iowa. 38 p., 8,1. C 

1887. 
Columbian Calendar, the Voyage of Christopher Colunibua from the 
third day of August to the Discovery of America, A. I). 14!)2, 
Burl., 18'J2. 
Sharp, Abbie Gardner. History of the Spirit Luke Massacre. 31() p.. 12% 
D. :\I., 1885. 

IOWA AND PATRIOTISM. 

When the permanent settlement of Iowa opened, after the Indian war 
of 1832, the contentions regarding negro slavery, that finally culminated in 
the civil war which overthrew that institution, had began to ao'itate the 
country. The Missouri Compromise, adopted as a settlement of the slavery 
question in 1821, was, when the pioneers crossed the river in 1833 to found 
a permanent settlement at Dubuque, in its most vital force. By its pro- 
visions the area forming this State was consecrated to freedom. Yet under 
its territorial government a few slaves were held in Iowa, sixteen according 
to the National Census of 1840, being held within its borders. Ultimate 
freedom from slavery was however fully assured to this region. Immi- 
grants from the New England states flocked to this new field bringin'^ with 
them as one of their chief possessions, an intelligent patriotism, a legacy of 
patriotic sires, who stood bravely for freedom at Lexington, Bennington, 
and Bunker Hill. Other settlers coming from the central and eastern 
states to this free western country to establish a new commonwealth, 
brought with them a hearty affinity with that spirit. Others comins- 
from the then slave-cursed south, came to enjoy a deliverance from the 
scenes and associations of that oppression. They believed that all men 
were endowed equallj^ by the Creator, with the right to their own muscle 
bone and mental powers, and with equal rights to free volition and action 
in the pursuit of happiness. When a National Administration, to maintain 
its party dominancy, consented to aid in the extension of the institution of 
slavery by the repeal of the Compromise that had, from its enactment, been 
regarded as a perpetual guaranty of freedom, to the great Northwestern 
portion of the country, the people of Iowa cast a decisive majority vote on 
the platform declaring, "We most unqualifiedly and emphatically disapprove 
of the efforts now being made in Congress to legislate slavery into the territor}- 
of Nebraska." The next year they declared by the largest majority the State 
had ever cast, down to that time, " That under the constitution and by 
right, freedom alone is national." They then believed that the broadest 
possible individual freedom was essential to the true happiness of the peo- 
ple, and the real prosperity of the State. They claimed civic freedom for 
themselves and their posterity, and patrioticalh^ gave voice and vote that 
others, settling new territories throughout this broad west, should enjo}' 
these same heaven-bequeathed advantages. Inspirations of the noblest 
patriotism determined the lines of development that have made Iowa in its 



128 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

brief history, not only one of the freest and progressive but also one of the 
most orderly States of the Union. 

When in April, 1861, the stirring message that rebel hosts assailing Fort 
Sumpter, had compelled the striking of the National banner to the Palmetto 
flag, and the proclamation of ]\[r. Lincoln summoned the states to send 
armed men to maintain the national authority and repossess the national 
government of its property, the citizens of no one of the twenty-four loyal 
states were more earnest in patriotic determination and deed than were the 
people of this State. The sturdy, patriotic, Kirkwood, Marylander by birlh 
was then governor. With the heai'ty approval of the people he at once pro- 
ceeded to fill the quota of troops then called for from the young State. No 
one of the loyal states responded more earnestly. The uprisings on the 
Patapsco and Potomac, cut him oflf for some days from communication with 
the national authorities, but the patriotism of the people precluded any 
dallying with doubtful questions. Governor Kirkwood, with their hearty 
approval, proceeded at once to raise the quota of troops, which telegrams, 
flashing through the country, announced that the general government was 
■ calling into the field, without waiting to receive the ofilcial notice sent out 
by the Secretary of War. 

Governor Kirkwood took early steps to call the General Assembly to 
meet in Extraordinary Session. Responding to his call that body convened 
May 16, 1861, — but one month after the surrender of Ft. Sumpter. In his 
message to that body he said: 

"In this emergency Iowa must not and does not occupy a doubtful 
position. For the Union as our fathers formed it, and for the Government 
founded so wisely and so well, the people of Iowa are ready to pledge every 
fighting man in the State, and every dollar of her money and credit, and I 
have called you together in Extraordinary Session for the purpose of 
enabling them to make that pledge formal and effective." 

In that message Governor Kirkwood furtlier informed the people that 
he was met at the outset by. two difficulties. First. The State treasury was 
empty, there were no funds under his control. to meet the necessarj' expenses 
of transportation and providing uniforms and other requisites for the troops 
volunteering to meet the call." Second. "There was no efficient military 
law under which to operate." 

The first difficulty was obviated by the patriotic action of chartered 
banks and wealthy citizens of the State, who placed at his disposal, all the 
money the State authorities might need. Governor Kirkwood informed the 
General Assembly that he " determined although without authority of law, 
to accept their offer," trusting that that body would legalize his acts. He 
did not trust its patriotism in vain. 

The Secretary of War asked that the troops be in readiness to proceed 
to the field by the 20th of May. The wise and patriotic action of the people. 
Governor Kirkwood informed the General Assembly enabled him "to place 
them in uniform on the eighth instant, twelve days in advance of the time 
named by the national authorities." He also stated " that they would have 
been there a week sooner had not the mob at Baltimoie cut off all com- 
munications with the government and left him without instructions for two 
weeks." 

The patriotism of the people brought out more people than the call 



IOWA AND PATRIOTISn. ,29 

required and a second regiment was placed in camp in anticipation of a 
second call. Gov. Kirkwood stated in his message that he had received a 
"tender of troops to form five full regiments when only one had been called 
for by the national authorities." 

The people of no State were more patriotic or truly loyal or devoted to 
the maintenance of the Union of the States than were the people of Iowa in 
that terrible conflict. Her citizen soldiery toiled in almost every march 
fought in almost every battle, and bravely fell everywhere at the front. 
Her generals from her shops and corn fields made honorable history and 
won renown on many fields. No spot nor stain tarnished the honor of Iowa 
in that terrible trial. With Lyon at Wilson Creek; Curtis in the Ozarks- 
with Banks on the Red River; with Steele in Arkansas; Thomas at Chicka- 
mauga, on the Chattanooga; in Sherman's march to the sea; the struo-o-le 
through the swamps of the Carolinas; with Sheridan at Cedar Creek- 
Sherman and Grant at Vicksburg; Rosecrans at Murfreesboro, and Sherman 
at Bentouyille, the courage and patriotism of the soldiers of Iowa were 
nobly attested, and none had better right to share in the pageant of the 
grand review. Forty-nine regiments of infantry (forty-eight of white troops 
and one colored), nine regiments and two extra companies of cavalry and 
four batteries of artillery were enrolled in the patriotic force, — a total of 
56,304 men in duly organized and reported Iowa troops, while there were 
19,155 enlistments of Iowa men in regiments in other states, making a orand 
army of 75,519 men enrolled, being one for each ten persons of her popula- 
tion at the close of the grim struggle. Of the troops reported in Iowa 
organizations 3,360 were killed or died of wounds received in battle, while 
8,810 died of disease or fell by accident. Iowa's part in the conflict for 
perpetual, national unity in a redeemed country was costly in precious lives. 
Her homes were made sad by the sorrows of war, but her people faltered 
not when called to its stern duty; her sons freely going at their country's 
summons. The draft wheel made but few turns to secure her quotas. 

When the rebellion terminated by the surrenders at Appomattox and 
Durham Station, Iowa citizen soldiery were too patriotic to be resentful and 
too intelligent to refrain from peaceful industry. Recognizing those who, 
but the preceding day they fought in war as rebels, in that day of pro- 
claimed peace as friends, they recognized them then as citizens of one 
country, having mutual interests to be promoted by perpetual unity in its 
perfected freedom, the highest development of which was to be achieved by 
the united intelligence of a citizenship having mutual and equal rights to 
freedom and happiness. Under such patriotic inspirations Iowa has made 
her unexampled progress. 

Situated in the central region of the grand constellation of States, Iowa 
favors their perpetual union. Her intelligent citizens regard each star 
with equal respect. In the national parliamentary halls her citizens have 
won honor; in the highest judicial chambers her citizens have gained 
honored name; in the high duties of cabinet councils and diplomatic offices 
her sons have rendered distinguished service. Exalting the fatherhood of 
God and the brotherhood of man, she recognizes each of her citizens as 
having equal rights to life, liberty, the advantages of her schools and the 
protection of her government. 



,3o HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

IOWA AND ART. 

In the difficulties and privations inevitable in the formation of a new 
state, the improvement of a new country and the accomplishment of the 
work necessary to be done in the construction of homes, roads, churches, 
schools and all the other pnblic and private institutions necessary in the 
construction of a new commonwealth, so large in area as Iowa, and in the 
brief period of only sixty-three years in which this vast work has been done, 
it should not be a source of serious alarm if the attention of its people 
should be directed more to matters merely material than to such things as 
have only relation to taste, or the study of the beautiful. 

The people of Iowa, however, in the pressure of the material matters 
which have directly and necessarily concerned them, have not been un- 
concerned about the arts. Nature filled the surroundings of their 
homes with bloom and beauty, and esthetical tastes were incited by the 
loveliness and grandeur of these broad landscapes that Nature's artists 
painted in gold and pearl. 

Our people have been liberal patrons of the liberal and fine arts. We 
may not in our brief history have produced great masters, but that our ac- 
complishments and creations have been respectable is well known. In music 
our bands have won respectful recognition in distant states and cities. In 
sculpture, architecture, and painting we have furnished names that are 
well known. The name of Mrs. Ketchum will by her work in sculpture and 
architecture be long perpetuated. The country that gave to the world the 
" Swedish Nightingale " had gained world-wide fame by its deeds of military 
heroism before Iowa was discovered, but in its longer history it has produced 
but one -Jennie Lind. The names of England's great military heroes, states- 
men, navigators and scientists are multitudinous, the list of her names great 
in architecture, sculpture and painting is brief. 

The history of the pioneer days in Iowa is made. Her public schools, 
her colleges and her universities are now planted on enduring foundations. 
Her schools of art are passing from infantile condition, their patronage is 
respectable, and the " science of the beautiful" receives respectful atten- 
tion. The work of Iowa artists has place in the Columbian Exposition. In 
the Woman's building their beautiful creations have place. In the Iowa 
building there is a very inviting exhibition. 

During the past year a State Art Association was formed with a mem- 
bership respectable in numbers and accomplishments. Its annual meet- 
ings will inspire an honorable enthusiasm in esthetical study. 

IOWA AND WORLD'S FAIRS. 

THE CENTENNIAL. 

The first effort made by this State to present its resources in a world's 
Exposition was made in the Philadelphia Exposition, the Centennial of 
1876. The Fifteenth General Assembly met in January, 1874, and ad- 
journed in March following, but took no action looking toward an exhibit 
.of the resources of the state in the then pending Exposition. I^ the Sum- 



IOWA AND WORLD'S FAIRS. ,3, 

mor of 187.". fuller information resanlinir that Exposition liavinj? l)con dis- 
soniinated, the people became interested iu tlie improvement of that op- 
portunity to present tlieir resources, accomplishments and possibilities to 
the knowledge of the nations. To effect this purpose a voluntary organ- 
ization of citizens was effected, which save time and means to raise the 
necessary material and money to secure a creditable presentation of the 
industries, agricultural, and mineral resources and educational advantages 
and facilities of Iowa therein. The Si.xteenth General Assembly, conven- 
ing in January preceding the opening of the Exposition in May, appropri- 
ated $30,000 for an exhibit, and provided for a commission to take the mat- 
ter in charge. The citizens' organization then turned the means it luid 
raised and the material it had gathered over to the State commission, and 
an exhibit of the resources, soils, products and educational work of the 
State was made that won it great favor. Th(i display of the soils of 
Iowa made in glass tubns six inches in diameter and showintr the soil as it 
was taken from the ground to the depth of six feet, was unique and beino- 
true to the natural condition attracted great attention. The exhibits of 
Iowa fruits, which won high awards, and the exhibit of dairy products tak- 
ing the highest prizes won, honors that proved of great financial advantage 
to Iowa, opening a wide and ready market for her fruit and dairy products 
that had previously been unknown in distant markets. The efforts in that 
exposition resulted in great advantage to the State. 

THE world's INDUSTRIAT AND COTTOX CENTENNIAL. 

In February, 1893, the Congress of the United States took action to con- 
stitute an International Exposition of the resources, industries, produc- 
tions, arts and accomplishments, especially of the Xorth, Central and South 
American States ; they each being especially invited to unite therein. This 
Exposition was opened in the City of New Orleans, in December, 1884. The 
exhibit that Iowa there made was gathered, installed and managed solely 
b}' private enterprise, the State authorities making no appropriation to as- 
sist in the work. On the recommendation of Governor Sherman, the Pres- 
ident appointed Mr. H. S. Fairall, of Iowa City, Commissioner for the State. 
An Iowa Commission was also formed bj' voluntary organization. Governor 
Sherman being President. 

In the Horticultural department of this Exposition Iowa made a most 
commendable disi)lay. Her fine show of pomaceous fruits won a gold 
medal and the first prize of $200 for the largest and best display of apples, 
not exceeding two hundred varieties, and gaining twelve other valuable 
premiums. This State also won twenty-two first premiums in its agricul- 
tural displaj'. In the Dairy department Iowa carried off the honors, mak- 
ing the largest display of butter ever exhibited up to that time byan3' state 
at any dairy fair or exposition, and winning the highest premiums. 

In the depariment of Education an exhibit was made under the super- 
vision of Hon. J. W. Akers, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
presenting the work of our public school system. It was representative, 
comprehensive and complete, and placed Iowa in the foremost rank ; thirty- 
nine honorable awards being won by her educational exhibit in that expo- 
sition. 



•32 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



The plans of tlie Commission wore greatly frustrated by a railroad 
wreck which occurred on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern rail- 
way, in which a large portion of th(! material intended for the exhibit was 
totally destroyed, many articles being utterly ruined, the principal portion 
being damaged beyond use. The accident was costly to the State in the re- 
sults of the Exposition, as the lateness of the season at which it occurred, to 
a large degree, precluded replacing the articles damaged or destroyed ; the 
wreck occurred December 1st, 1884. 

At the Exposition of 1889, at Paris, Iowa was represented by a few ex- 
hibits, a full report of which was made to Governor Larrabee by Commis- 
sioner James O. Crosby. Two gold medals were awarded. One to the 
State of Iowa for an exhibit of its school system made by Hon. Henry 
Sabin, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The other was for 
Hall's Report of the Geological Survey of Iowa, exhibited by a son of the 
author. 

IOWA IN THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 

In April, 1800, the Twenty-third General Assembly of this State took 
action to provide for an exhibit of its agricultural, mineral, mechanical, 
industrial, educational, and other resources in the World's Columbian Expo- 
sition. Iowa was the first of the states of the Union to take action provid- 
ing for an exhibition therein. 

Its Legislative Assembly, meeting only biennially, was in session when 
the National Congress was considering the matter of providing for the 
Exposition. When the lower house in that body passed its measure for 
making provision for the great Fair, our General Assembly was on the eve 
of closing its session. It was evident that the National Senate would enact 
the House bill into law. If Iowa should make an exhibit of her resources 
in the contemplated Exposition, under the auspices of:State authority, it 
was necessary that immediate action shouldbetaken, as that body would not 
again convene until .lanuary, 1893, a short time before the opening of the 
Fair if it should be held, as was then proposed, in 1892. Under these cir- 
cumstances the Legislature, taking hasty action in the premises, enacted 
the following measure which was approved bj' the Governor ten days be- 
fore the National enactment was approved by the President: 
AN ACT to Provide for a Creditable Exhibit of the Resources of the State 
of Iowa in the "Columbian Exposition " or the World's Fair, to be 
held in Chicago. 
Whereas, Congress is now considering, and the House of Representa- 
tives has already passed a bill, providing for a World's Fair, to be known 
as the " Columbian Exposition," and held at Chicago during the year 1892 
or 1893 ; and 

Whereas, It is highly desirable that the agricultural, mineral, me- 
chanical, industrial, educational and other resources and advantages of the 
State of Iowa shall be creditably represented in such exposition, therefore, 

Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: 

Section 1. That the Executive Council be and is hereby authorized 



I 



IOWA IN THE COLUHBIAN EXPOSITION. 133 

and directed to appoint an exliibition committee to be known as the " Iowa 
Columbian Commission." Such commission shall consist of eleven mem- 
bers, to be selected one from each congressional district in the State, not 
more than six of whom shall be from the same political party, and shall 
have full power to devise and execute plans for the State Exhibit herein 
contemplated, take charge of the same and disburse the appropriations. 
It may appoint such officers as in its judgment may be necessary for carry- 
ing out this act, including the right to delegate to an Executive Committee 
the duty and power to execute all or any plans that may be devised or or- 
dered by such Commission. One member thereof shall be chosen to act as 
Treasurer, and he shall be (ex-officio) custodian of the moneys herein 
appropriated ; but before entering upon the duties of such position he 
shall furnish a bond, subject to the approval of the Executive Council, and 
running to State of Iowa in the penal sum equaling amount herein appro- 
priated. If the said " Columbian Exposition" is held during the year 1892, 
the Commission created by this section shall be appointed at some time 
prior to January 1st, 1892. Any vacancy occurring in said Commission 
shall be filled by the Executive Council by the choice of some citizen 
residing in the congressional district wherein such vacancy occurs. The 
Commission herein created shall receive as compensation for the service of 
its members not to exceed five dollars for each day actually and necessarily 
engaged in the work of the Commission, and actual railroad fare paid. 

Section 2. The sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars is hereby appropriated 
out of any money in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the 
purpose of carrying into execution the intent of this act ; Provided that, if 
said Fair or Exposition be not held before 1893, not more than ten per cent, 
of the sum hereinbefore named shall be drawn from the State Treasury 
before the convening of the Twenty-fourth General Assembly and the re- 
mainder shall be covered back into the Treasury, and the subject of further 
appropriation shall be referred to the said Twenty- fourth General Assembly; 
but no part of any such appropriation shall be drawn from the State Treasury 
until the commission through its duly chosen officers, shall certifj' to the 
Auditor of State that the same is actually necessarj' for disbursement, and 
shall then be drawn only in portions, not exceeding one-fourth the amount 
appropriated, as may from time to time become requisite. All payments of 
money by the Treasurer must be under complete vouchers and under con- 
ditions to be fixed by said commission. At the close of its services the com- 
mission shall make to the Governor a statement of its proceedings, which 
shall include a list of all disbursements, with complete vouchers therefor 
attached. Provided further, no appointments under this act shall be made, 
nor shall anj^ money herein appropriated be drawn or any charge or ex- 
pense made until it is definitely known when the exposition is to be held. 
Provided further, that said commission shall be restricted in expenditures 
to the amount herein appropriated. 
Approved, April 15th, 1890. 

In pursuance of this enactment, the Executive Council appointed the 
following persons to constitute the commission provided by the law: 

First District, Edward Johnstone, of Keokuk. 

Second " H. W. Seaman, of Clinton. 



134 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Third " F. N. Chase, of Cedar Falls. 

Fourth '• James O. Crosb}', of Garnavillo. 

Fifth " James AVilsou, of Ti-aer. 

Sixth " J. W. Jarnagin, of Montezuma. 

Seventh " Henry Stivers, of Des Moines. 

Eighth " S. H. Mallory, of Chariton. 

Ninth " Charles Ashton, of Guthrie Center. 

Tenth " John F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge. 

Eleventh " Wm. H. Dent, of Le Mars. 
On the call of the Governor the several appointees met in the capitol, 
at Des Moines, and having duly qualified, on the second day of September, 
1890, organized the Commission, elected the following officers, appointed 
the following committees, and entered upon its vi'ork. 

President. 
Edward Johnstone, Keokuk. 

Vice President. 
James Wilson, Traer. 

Secretary. 
F. N. Chase, Cedar Falls. 
Treasurer. 
Wm. H. Dent, Le Mars. 
Executive Committee. 
S. H. Mallory, Chariton. 
J. W. Jarnagin, Montezuma. 
J. F. Duncombe, Fort Dodge. 
Auditing Committee. 
James Wilson, Traer. 
Henry Stivers, Des Moines. 
James O. Crosby, Garnavillo. 
Committee on Rules. 
H. W. Seaman. 
Chas. Ashton. 
Jas. O. Crosby. 
This was one of the first State Commissions organized. It took early 
action to secure a site for an Iowa State building in the park selected for 
the Exposition. The act of Congress deciding that the Fair should be held 
in 1893, left the Commission with only $5,000 at its command prior to an 
appropriation by the ensuing General Assembly. It proceeded however to 
form plans and take the necessary preliminary steps to secure such an ex- 
hibition of the resources of the State as was contemplated by the act con- 
stituting it. 

The Twenty-fourth General Assembly enacted the following law, mak- 
ing a final appropriation for the work of the Commission, which was ap- 
proved by the Governor April 8th, 1892. 

AN ACT making appropriation for an exhibit of the resources of the State 
of Iowa at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, to be held in 
the city of Chicago. 



IOWA IN THE COLUAIBIAN EXPOSITION. 135 

Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: 

Sectfox 1. Tluit the sum of Oue Hundred and Twenty-tive Thousand 
Dollars (| 125,000) is hereby approprhited out of any money in the State 
Treasurj-, not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of carrying out the 
intent of chapter 12G of the acts of the Twenty-third General Assembly, an 
act eniitled, "An act to provide for a creditable exhibit of the resources of 
the State of Iowa in the Columbian Exposition or World's Fair to be held 
in Chicago." Said sum hereinbefore named is the whole amount to be 
used and expended by said Columbian Commission ; the unexuended appro- 
priation by the Twenty-third General Assembly being considered as cov- 
ered into the State Treasurj^ and no longer available for the uses of said 
Commission. 

Section 2. Xo part of the moneys appropriated by this act shall be 
drawn from the State Treasury until the Commission, through its duly 
chosen officers, shall certify to the Auditor of State that the same is actually 
necessary for disbursement at the time requisition is ma.de, provided, that 
not more than sixty (60) per cent of tiie amount herein appropriated shall 
be drawn from the State Treasury in the year 1892. Provided further 
that not more than twelve and one-half per cent, of the moneys hereby 
appropi-iated shall be expended for salaries and other expenses of em- 
ployes. 

Section 3. This act being of immediate importance shall take effect 
and be in force from and after its publication in the loioa State Register 
and Des Moines Leader, newspapers published in Des Moines, Iowa. 

In February, 1891, a vacancy occurred in the Commission by the res- 
ignation of Hon. James Wilson, who having been elected to a professorship 
in the Iowa Agricultural College, found it necessary to resign his place in 
the body. Hon. S. B. Packard, of Marshalltown, was appointed to fill the 
vacancy. 

In May, 1891, a second vacancy occurred in the body by the death of 
the Hon. Edward Johnstone, its able and honored President, who departed 
this life in his seventy-sixth year. He came to Iowa in 1837, and for up- 
ward of half a century had occupied high position in social, business and 
political relations. Hon. Theodore Guelich, of Burlington, was appointed 
to succeed him. 

A third vacancy occurred through the death of Mr. Guelich, January 
27th, 1893. This gentleman had proved himself a most usicful and respect- 
ed member of the body. He was succeeded by Dr. A. C. Roberts, of Fort 
Madison. 

The two enactments appropriated a total of .| 130,000 for the work of 
the Commission. This body knew the sum to be meager, considering the 
magnitude of the work in its hands. To secure the best exhibit possible of 
the resources and accomplishments of the State by the most economical use 
of the funds appropriated, it reorganized the Commission, elected the fol- 
lowing officers, constituted the following committees, and arranged its 
work in the following departments, which were placed in charge of 
members of the Commission as follows: 

President — James O. Crosby. 

Vice-President— John F. Duncombe. 



136 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

Treasurer — Wm. Hamilton Dent. 
Secretary — Frank N. Chase. 

Executive Committee — S. H. Mallory, S. B. Packard, H. W. Seaman. 
Auditing Committee — Tlieodore Guelicli, S. B. Packard, Henry Stivers. 
Arctiaeological, Historical and Statistical Committee — Charles Ashton, 
James O. Crosby, J, W. Jarnagin. 

DEPARTMENTS. 

A Live Stock S. B. Packard 

B Agricultural and Dairy F. N. Chase 

C Horticulture W . H. Dent 

D Mineral and Geological .John F. Duncombe 

I^ Press Henry Stivers 

F Woman's Work James O. Crosby 

G Manufacturing and Machinery H. W. Seaman 

H Education and Fine Arts J. W. Jarnagin 

/ f^orestry Theo. Guelich 

After the death of Commissioner Guelich, his successor. Dr. A. C. Rob- 
erts, was appointed to fill his place in the department of Forestry. 

The Commission decided to make a collective exhibit in the Iowa State 
building, competitive exhibits in the several general buildings providing 
for such exhibits in the Agricultural, Mineral, Horticultural, Manufactur- 
ing and Liberal Arts and Forestry buildings and in the Live Stock De^iart- 
ment. Ample space was secured for such exhibits in the several buildings 
named. 

In the Agricultural building the space was in a most desirable location, 
in section D, at the northeast corner of the section, and at the crossing of the 
main intersection aisles of the building. At their intersection there is 
a large circular open space, which makes the location a prominent and 
inviting one. The northeast corner is occupied by Great ]}ritain ; the north- 
west by Germany ; the southwest by Iowa ; and the southeast by Pennsyl- 
vania. This fine position was improved b}' the erection of a beautiful pavil- 
lion of unique architecture designed by Messrs. Milward and Clark, decora- 
tors, of Sioux City, and was appropriately decorated with products from the 
fields and farms of the State under their supervision. A fine exhibit of the 
grains, seeds and other agricultural products of the State is installed therein. 
The space embraces two thousand seven hundred square feet. 

MINERAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 

In this department Iowa has installed a very full and interesting dis- 
play, prominently located in the south portion of the mining building, and 
along the south wall. The installation of the exhibit is unique and attract- 
ive. The display of valuable minerals, building stone, marble and other 
qualities of stone suitable for ornamental and monumental work, clays for 
brick and pottery manufacture, molding and glass sands, are a surprise to 
all who have not given careful investigation to this class of Iowa's re- 
sources. Upwards of one hundred different exhibits are shown in this 
department, some of which are of great value. The ornamental mantel- 
piece worked in the several varieties of Floyd county marble exhibited 
by Messrs. Bishop and Treat, of Charles City, is especially attractive. There 



IOWA IN THE COLUHBIAN EXPOSITION. i37 

are also interesting exliibits of gypsum, sewer tile, building and paving 
brick and pottery work. The ladies of Dubuque have added to this exhibit 
a grotto which contains a tine display of lead and zinc ores, obtained in that 
vicinity, and also many beautiful specimens of stalactites, stalagmites, and 
other interesting formations found in caves in the vicinity of their city. 
There is also a line disphi}^ of the iron ores found in abundance in Allama- 
kee county, which is a surprise even to Iowa people. The mineral exhibit 
occupies six hundred feet of floor and one thousand feet of wall space. 

THE EDUCATIONAL KXHIIilT. 

This important exhibit is centrally located in the space assigned for 
educational exhibits in the Gallery of the Manufacturers' and Liberal Arts 
building. The educational displays of the states of New York, Pennsyl- 
vania, Nebraska and Colorado immediately surround the space occupied' by 
Iowa. Our exhibit is very complete, showing the work of our common and 
higher schools. AVe regret that only one of the three great State schools 
have part therein. This we do the more because similar great schools of 
the other states named have added very large interest to their state exhibits 
by their cabinets and the work of their students. There are numerous pho- 
tographs of country and city school houses, of the interior of school rooms, 
showing the pupils at actual work. Our school statistics are presented in a 
new and original manner. A map drawn b}* a pupil of the Montezuma 
schools presents at a glance the location of each one of the 13,27.") public 
schools of the State. Iowa has made honorable presentation in this great 
and comprehensive display of the educational modes and work of states 
and nations, the most complete ever presented, inviting the thorough and 
studious examination of all educators of all countries. 

The important Iowa schools for the unfortunate classes have full ex- 
hibits of their work in their proper departments. Of these we mention the 
institution for the feeble minded, the blind and the mute. These have also 
very interesting display's of their work in the State building. 

MACHINERY AND MANUFACTURES. 

In these departments there are numerous exhibits in the appropriate 
buildings and grovips, the displays embracing farm machinery and tools, 
dairj- appliances, quarrying and mining tools and machines, mechanics' 
tools and railroad inventions. 

HORTICULTURE. 

Early in the summer of 1892 the Iowa Columbian Commission con- 
tracted with the Iowa State Horticultural Society to make the Horticultural 
exhibit. The failure of the fruit crop throughout the State in 1892 added 
some unexpected difficulties to this work. Iowa won great honor by her 
displays in this department in the Philadelphia and New Orleans Exposi- 
tions, and her honor will be duly maintained on this more important occa- 
sion. The Iowa exhibits of fruits thus far in the Columbian Exposition has 
been formed chiefly of apples, the product of the crop of 1891. It speaks 
volumes in praise of the fruit interests of the State that the apples produced 
in her soil and climate possess such keeping (jualities. 

WOMANS' WORK. 

In the Woman's building the work of our womanhood has respected 



•38 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

place. la other parts of the Fair her work is also seen. In the building- 
named the women of Sioux City have erected a pavillion and decorated it 
beautifully with the products of the field, after the manner of the corn 
palaces that have so well advertised the enterprise and energy of their city. 
This is the first instance of the womanhood in the history of the world's ex- 
positions undertaking an exhibit of the products of the farm. By the atten- 
tion it attracts their exhibit redounds to the honor of their city and the 
State. In this fine building there are many displays of the handiwork of 
Iowa women and of their culture and taste. 

The work of the women of Iowa is largely seen in our educational ex- 
hibit. The work of education being largely in their hands, not only are 
women in the majority as teachers in our district, but they have place also 
in our high schools and colleges, and largely direct our educational interests 
thirteeen counties having elected women to fill the county superintendent's 
office. In law and medicine, in authorship, in the work of the press, in 
sculpture and painting, and in important invention women in Iowa have 
rendered useful service. Their work is shown in every department in which 
Iowa makes an exhibit. 

THE DAIRY. 

In this important department Iowa presents a display that will sus- 
tain the high reputation and honor her dairymen have heretofore gained. 
In the dairy tests her famed cows are present to compete for first prizes. 
Her dairies and creameries are placing their products in the competition 
and are highest honors. 

LIVE STOCK. 

In the numerous divisions and classes of the live stock department 
Iowa stockmen will be found in honorable competition for first honors. 
We cannot now give the names or number of exhibitors, but numerous 
valuable animals of the best improved breeds will be shown. 

THE GENERAL EXHIBIT. 

This is made in the Iowa State building, a fine structure in a fine loca- 
tion. No State building is more generally visited by the masses w^ho visit 
the Exposition, nor is any state Structure the subject of more general 
praise. 

The architecture and the decorations of the building are an exhibit of 
Iowa art, the Josleyn & Taylor Company, of Cedar Rapids, architects, de- 
signing and superintending its construction. Messrs. Milward & Clark,, 
decorators, of Sioux City, having charge of the decorations of the exhibition 
hall. Their artistic skill is evident to the thousands who look with delight 
upon the beautiful creations wrought out by those gentlemen with the sim- 
ple grains and grasses gathered from our fields. In the reception hall and 
ladies' parlors there are several decorative pieces in Goeblin Toile, wrought 
out by Messrs. Andrews & Noel, of Clinton, that attract attention by their 
excellence of design and the skill and delicacy of their execution. In this 
building the work of the press, the schools and authorship, the art, the 
quarry, the mine, and the farms and shops of Iowa are shown. The Iowa 
building and the exhibits displayed therein will carry the name of Iowa in 
favorable mention through every civilized country. "The Peri," a piece- 



IOWA IN THE C0LUA1BIAN EXPOSITION. 




140 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

carved in tbe finest Italian mai'ble by tlie late ]\Irs. Harriet Ketcham, of Mt. 
Pleasant, a beautiful piece of art exhibited in the art department of the 
Iowa building, wins high praise. 

THE DEDICATION. 

In the dedicatory exercises of JacI<;son Park and its great buildings to 
the purposes' of the Fair in October last, proper services were held on the 
following day dedicating the Iowa building to its important purpose. A 
full account of these exercises are given in the beautiful Souvenir pub- 
lished by order of the Commission and under the supervision of the Hon. 
James O. Crosby, its President. 

THE OPENING OP THE PAIR. 

On the opening day of the great Fair, May 1st, 1893, appropriate exercises 
were held in the Iowa building, which was one of the few State buildings 
at that time so near completion and having its exhibits in such state of 
forwardness as to be ready for the reception of visitors. President Crosby, 
of the Commission, presided. The Iowa State Band furnished ex- 
cellent and appropriate music. The audience was led in invoking 
the divine blessing by Rev. Charles Ashton, of the Commission, and an able 
oration in response to a brief but pertinent address by President Crosby 
was delivered by Hon. W. M. McFarland, Secretary of State, who spoke to 
the great edification of the large audience filling the large assembly hall 
of the beautiful Iowa building. Iowa won praise by the completeness of 
her building and her exhibits at that time, as she has pontinued to receive 
praise for the artistic beauty of the decorations of the structure and the har- 
mony of design and the excellence of the exhibit made of her wonderful 
productiveness. 






POPULATION TABULATED. 

POPULATION. 



141 



We give the population by couuties for eacli national census taken 
since the settlement of Iowa: 



Adair 

Adiimti 

Allamakee.. . 
Appanoose . . 

Andubon 

Kenton 

Black Hawk. 

Hoone 

Bremer 

Buchanan. . . . 
Biiena Vista. 

Butler 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Cedar 

Cerro Gordo. 

Cherokee 

Chickasaw. . 
Clark 



Clay 

Clayton 

Clinton 

Crawford . . . 

Dallas 

Davis 

Decatur 

Delaware . . . 
Des Moines. 
Dickinson.. . 
Dubuque . . . 

Emmet 

Fayette 

Floyd 

Franklin 

Freemont. . . 

Greene 

Grundy 

Guthrie 

Hamilton . .. 
Hancock . . . 

Hardin 

Harrison. . . 

Henry 

Howard. . . . 
Humboldt.. 
Ida 



Iowa . . 
Jackson. . 

Jasper 

Jefferson. 
Johnson . 
Jones. . . . 
Keokuk. . 
Kossuth . 

Lee 

Linn 

Louisa.. . 

Lucas 

Lyon . . . . 
^Niadison . 
Mahaska. 
>Lirion. . . 
Marshall. 
Mills 



Mitchell 

Monoiia 

^lonroe 

Montgomery. 
Muscatine ... 

O'Brien 

Osceola 



1840. 



1,253 



1,101 
821 



168 
5,57; 



3,059 



3,772 



1,411 



2,773 

1,491 

4" 



6,093 
1,373 
1,927 



1,942 



3,131 



672 
13.5 
735 



3,941 



3,873 
2,822 



854 
7,2t>l 

965 
1,759 

12,988 



1860. 



10,841 

""825 



8,70^ 



822 
7,210 
1,280 
9,904 
4,47i" 
3,00'; 
4,82i 



18.861 

5,444 

4,939 

471 



1,179 
5,989 
5,482 



1,884 



5,731 



1870. 



984 

1,533 

12,2:37 

11,931 

454 

8,496 

8,244 

4,232 

4,915 

7,906 

57 

3,724 

147 

281 

1,612 

12,949 

940 

58 

4,336 

5,427 

52 

20,728 

18,938 

383 

5.244 

13:764 

8,677 

11,024 

19,611 

180 

31,164 

10b 

12,0;'3 

3,744 

1,309 

5,074 

1,374 

793 

3,058 

1,699 

179 

5,440 

3,621 

18,701 

3,168 

m-2 

43 

8,029 

18,493 

9,883 

15,038 

17,573 

13,306 

13,271 

416 

29,2:i2 

18,947 

10,370 

5.776 



7,339 

14,8161 

16,8131 

6,015! 

4,481 1 

3,409 

832 1 

8,612 

1,256 

16,444 

8 



1880. 



3,982 

4,614 

17,S6S 

16,4.56 

1,212 

22,451 

21,706 

14,.5.^ 

12,,528 

17,0:34 

1 .585 

9,951 

1,602 

2,451 

5,464 

19,731 

4,722 

1,967 

10,180 

8,73 

1,523 

27,771 

35,:35 

2,.t30 

12,019 

15,565 

12,018 

17,432 

27,256 

1,389 

38,969 

1,:392 

16,973 

10,768 

4,738 

11,174 

4,627 

6,399 

7,061 

6,U55 

999 

13.684 

8,931 

21,463 

6,282 

2,596 

226 

16,t)44 

22,619 

22,116 

17,8:39 

24,898 

19,731 

19,434 

3,351 

37,210 

31,080 

12,8 ' 

I0,:3s8 

221 

13,884 

22,,508 

24,4:36 

17,,576 

8,718 

9,582 

3,6.54 

12,724 

5,934 

21,688 

7l5 



1890. 



11,66' 
11,888 
19,791 
16,636 
7,448 
a4,888 
2:3,913 
20,838 
14,081 
18,546 
7,53"' 
14,291 
5,595 
12,:35l 
16,943 
18,936 
11,461 
8,240 
14,5.34 
11,513 
4,248 
28,82;i 
36,763 
12,413 
18,764 
16,4(38 
15,;336 
17,950 
33,099 

1,901 
42,996 

1,550 
22,2.58 
14,6"~ 
10,249 
17,65'.i 
12,727 
12,639 
14,3'.t4 
11,252 

3,453 
17,807 
16,649 
20,986 
10,837 

5,:341 

4,382 
19,221 
23,771 
25,963 
17,463 
25,429 
21,055 
21,258 

6,178 
34,859 
37,23' 
13,142 
14,5:30 

1,968 
17,2-.M 
25,-202 
26,111 
23,752 
14,137 
14,:363 

9,0i")5 
I3,7l9 
15,869 
23,170 

4,1.55 

2,219 



U,5U 

12,292 
17,907 
18,961 
12,412 
24,178 
21,219 
2:3,772 
14,630 
18,997 
i:3,MS 
15,463 
1:3,107 
18.828 
19;645 
18,253 
14,864 
15,6.59 
15,01» 
11,332 
9,:309 
26,r33 
41,199 
18,894 
20,479 
15,258 
1.5,643 
17,349 
35,324 
4,:328 
49,848 
4,274 
23,141 
15,424 
12,871 
16,482 
15,797 
1:3,215 
17,380 
15,319 
7,621 
19,003 
21,:356 
18,895 
11,182 
9,836 
10,705 
18,270 
22,771 
24,943 
15,184 
23,082 
20,23a 
. 23,862 
13,120 
37,715 
45,:303 
11,873 
14,563 
8,680 
15,977 
28,805 
23,058 
25,842 
14,584 
13,29» 
14,515 
13,666 
15.848 
24,501 
13,060 
5,574 



142 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

POPULATION. — CONTINUED. 



COUNTIES. 


1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 


1890. 


Pag;e 




551 


4,419 

132 

148 

103 

11,625 

4,968 

5,668 

2,923 

246 

24,959 

818 

10 

4,051 

5,285 

3,590 

2,012 

17,081 

14,518 

10,281 

14,235 

6,409 

2,504 

168 

13,942 

1,119 

756 

653 


9,975 

1,336 

2,199 

1,446 

27,857 

16,893 

15,581 

5,691 

1,411 

38,599 

2,540 

576 

11,6,51 

16,131 

6,989 

5,986 

17,672 

22,346 

17,980 

18,952 

11,287 

10,484 

1,.562 

23,579 

6,172 

2,892 

2.392 


19,667 
4,131 

8,.566 

3,713 
42,395 
39,850 
18,936 
12,085 

8,774 
41,266 
12,696 

5.426 
16,906 
21,58.') 
15,635 
14,9S0 
17,043 
25,285 
19,578 
20,374 
16,127 
15,951 

4,917 
23,9.38 
14,996 

7,593 

5,062 


21,341 


Palo Alto ' 


9,318 








19,568 

9,5.53 

65,410 

47,430 








Polk 




4,513 

7,828 
615 










18,394 






13,5.56 


Sac 






14,.521 


Scott 


5i,140 


5,968 


43,164 


Shelby 


17,611 


Sioux 






18,370 


Story 






18,127 


Tama 




8 
204 


21.651 


Taylor 





16,384 






16,900 


Van Biiren 


6,146 


13,270 

8,471 

961 

4,9.57 

340 


16,2.53 


Wapello 


30,426 


Warren 




18,269 


Washington 


1,594 


18,468 


Wayne 


15,670 






21, .582 
7,325 


Winnebago 






M innesliiek.. 




546 


22,528 






55,632 


Worth 






9,247 


Wright 






12,057 


Totals 


4.3,112 


192,214 


674,913 


1,194,020 


1,624,615 


1^911,896 



POPULATION OF IOWA — NATIVITY AND 8EX. 

As shown by the above table the population of the State in 1890 was 
1,911,896. Of this population 324,069, but 17 per cent were persons of for- 
eign birth, while 1,587,827 were born in this country. 994,453 persons in 
the State were males and 917.343 were females. 



STATE GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS. 143 

STATE GOVERNHENT AND INSTITUTIONS. 

The Iowa territory was separated from the territorj' of Wisconsin and 
given a separate territorial organization bj^ act of congress, approved by 
Martin Van Buren, President, June 12, 1839, who appointed Robert Lucas, 
a well known democratic statesman of his daj% who had served through two 
terms as Govei'nor of Ohio, Governor of the new territor}\ The first legis- 
lative assembly of the territory convened at Burlington, November 12th, of 
that year. Two sessions of the territorial legislature of AVisconsin had pre- 
viously met at Burlington and provided for the organization of sixteen 
counties west of the Mississippi. 

In the political changes resulting from the famous campaign of 1840, 
John Chambers, whig, of Kentucky, was appointed by President William 
Henry Harrison, to succeed Governor Lucas. After the presidential elec- 
tion of 1844, President Polk appointed Hon. James Clark to succeed 
Governor Chambers. Mr. Clark was a Pennsylvanian by birth, learned the 
printing trade in boyhood, came to Iowa in 188G, and established the secoud 
newspaper published in the territory. He was appointed Secretary of the 
Territory by Martin Van Buren in 1839.- By act of congress, approved De- 
cember 28th, 1846, Iowa was admitted as a State. It had at that time twenty- 
seven organized counties with a population of nearly 160,000, and the 
frontier settlements were well advanced toward the Missouri River. Hon. 
Ansel Briggs was elected Governor of the new State. 

The Missouri River being fixed ac its western boundary, Iowa City was 
far east of its center and it was deemed wise to establish the State capital at 
a point more nearly central in its territory, and the first session of its Gen- 
eral Assembly enacted a law providing for the re-location of the seat of 
government, the capitol building and its site, ten acres of land at Iowa 
City, being appropriated for the State University. This action ultimately 
led to the location of the State Capital at Des Moines. The beautiful site of 
the present fine capitol structure was selected in 1856. The three constitu- 
tional conventions in the State were held in Iowa City. The city of Des 
Moines was declared to be the capital ofjthe State by the proclamation of 
Governor Grimes, issued October 19, 1857. The old capitol at loAva City 
then became the property of the State University. In 1870 the General As- 
sembly made an appropriation and provided for the appointment of a board 
of commissioners to commence the construction of the present capitol edi- 
fice. This board embraced honored names. Governor Samuel ^Merrill be- 
ing ex-offlcio its President, Granville M. Dodge of Councill Blufl^s. James 
F.Wilson of Fairfield, James Dawson of Washington, Simon G. Stein of 
iMuscatine, Jame^ O. Crosby of Garnavillo, Charles Dudlej^ of Agency City, 
John N. Dewey of Polk county, and AVilliam M. Joy of Woodbury county 
were its members, with Alexander R. Fulton of Des Moines Secretary. 
The first Board of Capitol Commissioners was appointed for a term of two 
years. In making its report to the General Assembly it recommended the 
reorganization of the board and a reduction of its number to five. The 
General Assembly enacted a law April 10th, 1872, embodvino- its su"-"-es- 
tions, and Messrs John G. Foote of Burlington, JNIartin L. Fisher of Farmers- 
burg, Peter A. Dey and R. S. Finkbine of Iowa Cit^-, were ajipointed there- 



144 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

on, the Governor being ex-offlcio its President. The new board elected A> 
H. Piquenard, of Springtield, Illinois, Architect, General Ed. Wright its 
Secretary, Robert Finkbine Superintendent of Construction, and John G. 
Foote, Superintendent of Finance. This organization continued until the 
completion of the structure, except as changes resulted from deaths. In 
November, 1876, Mr. Piquenard died, and Messrs. Bell and Hackney, both 
young men who had assisted him, were elected to succeed him as architect. 
In February, 1879, Mr. Fisher died, and Mr. Cyrus Foreman of Osage was- 
appointed his successor. The gentlemen composing these boards dis- 
charged their important trust with eminent fidelity and ability, giving to 
the State one of the finest State capitols of the country. 

The following gentlemen have filled the executive chair of the State in 
the line of succession from Governor Briggs: 

Hon. Stephen Hempstead, of Dubuque county. 

Hon. James W. Grimes, of Des Moines county. 

Hon. Ralph P. Lowe, of Lee county. 

Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood, of Johnson county. 

Hon. AVm. M. Stone, of Marion county. 

Hon. Samuel Merrill, of Clayton county. 

Hon. Cyrus C. Carpenter, of Webster coimty. 

Hon. Joshua G. Xewbold, of Henry county. 

Hon. John H. Gear, of Des Moines county. 

Hon. Buren R. Sherman, of Benton county. 

Hon. Wm. Larrabee, of Fayette county. 

Hon. Horace Boies, of Black Hawk county. 

Hon. Joshua G. Newbold was elected Lieutenant-Governor, but became 
Governor on the resignation of Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood upon his election 
as United States Senator. 

THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM-. 

In our country townships we have magistrates called Justices of the 
Peace, who are elected by the people and hold their office for two years. 
In our incorporated towns and cities we have Mayor's and Police Courts. 

For the higher courts the State is divided into eighteen districts. Of 
these, two districts, the eighth and seventeenth, elect one Judge each; the 
first, third, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, sixteenth, and eighteenth each 
elect two Judges ; the fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth and eleventh each elect 
three ; and the second, fourth, seventh and fifteenth each elect four. 
The several Judges are elected for terms of four years. There are courts 
in four cities of the State called Superior Courts, namely: in Cedar Rapids, 
Creston, Council Bluffs and Keokuk. These have each one Judge. From 
these District and Superior Courts appeals may be taken to the Supreme 
Court. 

THE SUPREME COURT. 

The supreme judicial body of the State is composed of five Judges, 
elected by the people for a term of six years, one Judge being elected 
yearly, the sixth year there being no election. As prosecutor an Attorney 
General, elected by the people, appears in behalf of the people. The court 
is now constituted as follows, the position of Chief .Justice comes to the 
several Judges by rotation in the last year of their term. 



STATE GOVERNnENT AND INSTITUTIONS. ,45 

Chief Justice: GifEord S. Robinson, Storm Lake. 

Justices: Charles T. Granger, Waukon; Josiah Given, Des Moines; Jas. 
H. Rothrock, Cedar Rapids; L. G. Kinne, Toledo. 

Attorney (general: John Y. Stone, Glenwood. 

The Supreme Judges are elected by the voters of the whole State. The 
District Judges by the voters of their several districts. The Judges of the 
Superior Courts by the voters of the city in which the court is located. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

The State has eleven representatives in the National Congress. For 
their election the State is divided into eleven Districts. 

The First District, composed of Lee, Van Buren, Jefferson, Henry, Des 
Moines, Louisa and Washington counties, is represented by Hon. John H. 
Gear, of Burlington. 

The Second District, composed of the counties of Iowa, Johnson, Mus- 
catine, Scott, Clinton and Jackson, is represented by Hon. Walter I. Hayes 
of Clinton. 

The Third District, composed of the counties of Wright, Franklin, Har- 
din, Butler, Bremer, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware and Dubuque, is 
represented by Hon. D. B. Henderson, of Dubuque. 

The Fourth District, composed of the counties of Worth, Cerro Gordo, 
Floyd, Mitchell, Howard, Chickasaw, Fayette, Winneshiek, Allamakee and 
Clayton, is represented by Hon. Thomas Updegraff, of McGregor. 

The Fifth District, composed of the counties of Grundy, Marshall, 
Tama, Benton, Linn, Jones and Cedar, Hon. Robert G. Cousins, is its Repre- 
sentative. 

The Sixth District, composed of the counties of Jasper, Poweshiek, Ke- 
okuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello and Davis, Hon. John F. Lacey, Repre- 
sentative. 

The Seventh District, composed of the counties of Story, Polk, Dallas, 
Madison, Warren and Marion, Hon. J. A. T. Hull, Representative. 

The Eighth District, composed of the cou nties of Appanoose, Wayne, 
Lucas, Clark, Decatur, Ringgold, Union Adams, Taylor, Page and Fremont, 
Hon. W. P. Hepburn, Representative . 

The Nirtth District, composed of the counties of Adair, Guthrie, Audu- 
bon, Cass, Montgomery, Mills, Pottawattamie, Shelby and Harrison, Hon. 
A. L. Hagar, Representative. 

The Tenth District, composed of the counties of Boone, Greene, Car- 
roll, Crawford, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Palo 
Alto, Emmet, Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago, Hon. J. P. Dolliver, Rep - 
resentative. 

The Eleventh District, composed of the counties of Monona, Woodbury, 
Ida, Sac. Buena Vista, Cherokee, Plymouth, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Dickin- 
son, Osceola and Lyon, Hon. George D. Perkins, Representative. 

CABINET OFFICERS. 

Three citizens of Iowa have held Cabinet positions, Hon. James Harlan 
w^as Secretary of the Interior in the second administration of Abraham 
Lincoln. Hon. W. W. Belknap was secretary of War in Gen. Grant's 



146 



HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 



administration, and Hon. S. J. Kirkwood was Secretary of tlie Department 
of the Interior in the administration of Presidents Garfield and Arthur. 

In the United States Judiciary several of her citizens have won honor- 
able reputation. 

The following gentlemen have represented Iowa in the United States 
Senate : 

Geo. W. Jones, Dubuque, 1848 to 1859. 

Augustus C. Dodge, Burlington, 1848 to 1855. 

James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, 1855 to 1865. 

James W. Grimes, Burlington, 1858 to 1870. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa City, 1866 to 1867. 

James Harlan, Mount Pleasant, 1867 to 1873. 

James B. Howell, Keokuk, Jan. 20, 1871, to March 4, 1871. (To fill 
vacancy caused by the death of James W. Grimes.) 

George G. Wright, Des Moines, 1871 to 1877. 

William B. Allison, Dubuque, 1873 to.the present time. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877 to 1881. 

James W. McDill, 1881 to 1883. 

James F. Wilson, Fairfield, 1883 to the present time. 

The following gentlemen now constitute the Executive Council of the 
State : 

Hon. Horace Boies, Black Hawk county. Governor. 

Hon. Wm. McFarland, Emmet county, Secretary of State. 

Hon. C. G. McCarthy, Story county. Auditor of State. 

Hon. Byron A. Beason, Marshall County, Treasurer of State. 

The other elective Executive State officials are : 

Hon. J. B. Knoepfler, Allamakee county. Superintendent of Public 
Instruction. 

Railroad Commissioners : 

Hon. John W. Luke, Franklin county. 

Hon. Peter A. Dey, Johnson county. 

Hon. Geo. W. Perkins, Fremont county. 

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

The Legislative Department of the State government is composed of 
two houses. The Senate or Upper House consists of fifty members so 
divided that about one-half of its members are elected bi-ennially, the 
official term being four years. The Lower House or House of Representa- 
tives has one hundred members, elected bi-ennially. The Constitution pro- 
vides that the sessions of the General Assembly shall be bi-ennial. In cases 
of emergency extra sessions may be called. 

The first extra session convened at Iowa City on the second day of July 
1856, for the purpose of accepting the grant of lands by Congress in aid of 
railway construction, and to carry into execution the trust conferred upon 
the State. Grants were made to the Burlington & Missouri, the Mississippi 
& Missouri, the Air Line and the Dubuque & Pacific railroad companies. 

An extra session was held in May, 1861, for the purpose of placing the 
State on a war footing to maintain the Union of the States. 

A third extra session convened on the third day of September, 1862, 
and was occupied principally with military matters. 



STATE GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS. 147 

An adjourued session of the Fourteenth General Assembly was begun 
on the third Wednesday of .Januar}^ 1878, for the purpose of considering 
and passing upon the report of the Codifying Commission. The revision 
of the laws at that adjourned session was designated as the "Code," though 
by way of distinction it is called the " Code of 1873." 

STATE INSTITUTIONS — STATE UNIVERSITY. 

This great school was established early in the history of the State. In 
July, 1840, Congress passed an act providing for the setting apart of 45,928 
acres of land within the territory of Iowa for the use and support of a 
state university, whenever the territory should become a state. By the 
adoption of the constitution of 1846, the people of the State accepted the 
grant. At the first session of the General Assembly. February 25, 1847, an 
act was passed locating and establishing the State University at Iowa City. 
That act set apart the public buildings with the ten acres of land on which 



__ mi i K. lit ' I L. rr>> 





-^^^l HA ! ^'^-V 



STATE UNIVERSITY. IOWA CI 1 . . 

the same were situated for the use of the university, provided the capitol 
should be used for state purposes until otherwise provided by law. The 
first session of the university opened in March, 1855. 

The Collegiate Department embraces four courses of study: Classical, 
Philosophical, Scientific and Engineering. Four years are required to 
graduate in any of the courses. In the Law Department the course of 
study covers two years. The Medical Department requires three terms of 
six months each. The Dental and Pharmacy Departments cover two j'ears 
each. 

The General Assembly at each session makes liberal appropriations for 
its support. The Twenty-third General Assembly appropriated $125,000, 
the twenty -fourth $78,000. 

During the past school year a total of 904 students were enrolled in its 
classes, namely: females 152, males 752. Seventy five persons were em- 
jiloyed as instructors. There are 28,000 volumes in its library. Its yearly 
income is reported at $120,000. Value of grounds and buildings, $300,000. 



,48 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

This State school was established in 1858. The legislature of that year 
appropriated |10,000 to purchase a farm for the location of the college 
buildings and for experiments in agriculture. 

In 1859 a farm of 640 acres, near Ames, Story countj^ was purchased. 
In 1862 Congress passed a bill granting to each state public lands to the 
amount of 30,000 for each Senator and Representative to which the states 
were then entitled. The conditions of that act and the grant thereunder 
was accepted by the General Assembly of the State in September, 1862. 

In 1887 Congress passed a bill establishing Agricultural Experiment 
stations in connection with the Agricultural College and appropriated 
$15,000 annually for the support of each. 

In August, 1890, a bill for the more complete endowment and support 
of Agricultural Colleges was approved by President Harrison. This bill 
provided for increased appropriations for their support. The annual in- 
come of the Iowa college from the several appropriations of^the General Gov- 
ernment is now $78,000. The State erects and keeps in repair all buildings, 
and for this purpose it has appropriated about $355,000 for the 
exclusive use of the several departments of the college. The main col- 
lege building is five stories high. The college domain now embraces 900 
acres. The school has courses in agriculture and dairying, veterinary sci- 
ence, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, 
science, and a special course for lady students. 

The Twenty-fourth General Assembly appropriated $56,500 for this 
school. It reported last year an enrollment of 547 students, namely: 454 
males and 93 females. Instructors, 29. Its library contains 9,800 volumes. 
The value of its endowments are reported at $679,784, its yearly income 
$80,000, and value of grounds and building at $450,000. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

This important school was established by the Sixteenth General Assem- 
bly for the special training of teachers for the common schools of the 
State. It was organized by the board of directors June 7th, 1876, and was 
opened for the reception of students September 6th, 1876. The first year 
155 students were enrolled in its classes. The last j^ear it had an enrollment 
of 746, namely: 191 male and 515 female students. 

The province of this school is in no respect a duplicate of other educa- 
tional institutions of the State. It adheres strictly to the object assigned at 
its founding — that of preparing professional teachers for public schools. 
For its support and impi'ovement the General Assembly makes liberal ap- 
propriations. 

This important school has 5,000 volumes in its library. The value of 
its grounds and buildings is reported at $75,000. 

These three important State schools are doing good work in securing 
to the State in professional life men and women of cultured intellect and 
special qualifications. 

OTHER STATE SCHOOLS. 

The Iowa College for the Blind was first opened in Iowa City in 1853 



STATE* GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS. 149 

d removed to its present location at Viutou in 1862. During the forty 
years of its existence it has received from the State for improvements, 
repairs, clothing for pupils, support and current expenses upward of .'f;870,- 
000. 

The design of this institution is to furnish to the blind children of the 
State equal educational advantages with children who enjoy the boon of 
sight. The branches taught are raised print, point system, arithmetic, 
spelling, geography, history, grammar, natural philosophy, algebra, rhetoric, 
phj^siology, zoology, chemistry, moral philosophy, civil government, political 
economy, geometry, and English and American literature. The department 
of music is supplied with twenty-three pianos, one pipe organ, three cabinet 
organs and a sufficient number of violins, guitars, bass viols and brass 
instruments. Every student capable of receiving it, is given a complete 
course in this branch. 

In the industrial department the girls are required to learn knitting, 
crocheting, fancy work, hand and machine sewing. The boys, netting, 
mattress-making and cane seating. Those of either sex who so desire may 
learn carpet weaving and broom making. The advantages of the school 
are free to every person either blind or of defective vision, and of suitable 
age and capacity in the State. The pupils are treated free of charge by 
skilled oculists. 

INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 

This institution is located in Pottawattamie county near the city of 
Council Bluffs. The education it oilers is free. Pupils are received from 
the age of nine to twenty-five who are sound of mind and free from offen- 
sive or contagious diseases. A competent corps of instructors Of long and 
successful experience is employed in every department. The trades taught 
in the institution are printing, shoe- making, carpentering, dressmaking, 
farming and gardening, drawing and painting, light house work, plain sew- 
ing and knitting are also taught. 

The last General Assembly appropriated $26,050 for this school. 

INSTITUTION FOR THE FEEBLE MINDED. 

This worthy institution is located at Glenwood, Mills county. The first 
child was admitted September 1876. For a time there was an unwillingness 
on the part of parents of this class of children to turn them over to its care. 
That diffidence is now largely outgrown. The object of the institution is to 
provide special means for this unfortunate class. The course embraces not 
only the course of the common schools where that is practicable, but a 
course of training in the practical matters of every day life, the cultivation 
of proper personal habits, and the fitting of the pupil for useful occupation. 

The value of the lands and buildings pertaining to this worthy institu- 
tion is now about $100,000. 

INDUSTI^IAL HOME FOR ADULT BLIND, 

The object of this worthy institution is to provide a working home and 
means for the blind to earn their own subsistence. The institution was 
established by an act of the twenty-third General Assembly which appro- 
priated S40,000 for the purchase of grounds and erection of buildings. It 



ISO HAND BOOK OF IOWA, 

was located by the Commission at Knoxville, Marion county. Accommoda- 
tions were designed for two hundred inmates. The institution was opened 
for the reception of eligible persons in 1862. 

THE soldiers' ORPHANS' HOME. 

This institution was opened for the reception of children July 13th, 
1864. The eleventh General Assembly assuming control, providing a 
special fimd for its maintenance, and providing for its management and its 
permanent location at Davenport. 

There is in connection with this worthy charity a well lighted, pleasant 
and commodious school building. It is the purpose of the Board of Man- 
agement to have the course of instruction reach a high standard of practical 
usefulness. 

In 1880 the General Assembly widened the sphere of usefulness of this 
institution by opening its doors to other dependent children. There were 

on the thirtieth of June, 1893, soldiers' orphans and other dependent 

children enjoying its advantages. Great attention is given to the moral 
instruction of children placed in its care. 

The library of the institution contains about 800 volumes of carefully 
selected juvenile literature. 

THE SOIiDIEKs' HOME. 

This institution was created by the twenty-first General Assembly. 
The main building being completed was opened with proper ceremonies No- 
vember 30th, 1887. Since that time enlargements and improvements have 
been made by authority of the succeeding sessions of the body creating it. 

The hospital is 131 feet in length, 60 feet in width, two stories in height 
above basement, with spacious verandas and balconies. Great care was 
taken to secure good ventilation. The home is a worthy monument of the 
grateful patriotism of the people of the State towards its defenders who, 
broken in health, or suffering from woiiuds received in their country's 
dangerous service, now need its care. Down to June 30, 1891, 743 persons 
had been admitted to its care and comforts. 

Since the adjournment of the twenty-fourth General Assembly, a num- 
ber of cottages have been erected for the accommodation of married veterans 
needing the advantages of this home. 

INSANE ASYLUMS. 

Liberal provision has been made by the people of the State for the care 
of this unfortunate class. 

The hospital at Mt. Pleasant is the oldest of the three institutions es- 
tablished by the State for the care and treatment of insane persons. It was 
established by the act of the Fifth General Assembly, approved January 24, 
1855. It was formally opened March 6, 1861. 

The hospital at Independence, Buchanan county, was opened on the 
first day of May, 1873. 

The hospital at Clarinda, Page county, was opened for the reception of 
patients December, 15, 1888. The original plans for this institution, not yet 
fully carried out, contemplated accommodations for one thousand patients. 
The appropriation by the twenty-third General Assembly for the three 



153 HAND BOOK OF IOWA. 

institutions reached in ttie aggregate $237,500. Tlie special appropriations 
made by the twenty-fourth General Assembly for repairs and improvements 
were $91,300. 

These institutions are each controlled by a board of trustees elected by 
the General Assembly, composed of men of different political parties. Full 
staffs of eminent medical service is secured. The treatment of the unfor- 
tunate inmates is humane and wise, and care is given to promote their 
restoration to reason. 

INDUSTRIAL OR REFORMATORY SCHOOLS. 

Of these the State supports two ; one for boys at Eldora, Hardin county. 
The persons eligible for commitment to its instructions and care are boys 
from eight to sixteen years of age, whose natures are yet susceptible to 
good impressions and who may be influenced to a better life by kindness, 
moral training and a proper discipline. This school was opened September 
1st, 1868. In the almost twenty-three years elapsing from its opening to 
June 30, 1891, there were admitted 1,655 boys ; of these 1,254 had 
been discharged and otherwise released, 401 still remaining under its care. 

Care is taken to give its inmates useful instruction and correct moral 
training. The work of the institution has been most valuable to its inmates 
and honorable and serviceable to the State. 

THE girl's industrial SCHOOL, 

Is located at Mitchellville, Polk county. This is virtually a branch of 
the Eldora school, designed for the moral training of wayward girls. The 
buildings and grounds of the Universalist Seminary at Mitchellville were 
purchased in 1879 and this school was established at that time. "The dis- 
cipline is gentle and home like," and it has been estimated that seventy per 
cent, of those committed to the institution leave it reformed in character 
and conduct. 

THE penitentiaries. 

Iowa has tw^o such institutions, and may boast of the small percentage 
of its population classed as criminals. 

The oldest of its penal institutions was located at Ft. Madison, Lee 
county, and was established by act of the Legislature of Iowa territory, 
January 25, 1839. 

By an act of the fourteenth General Assembly of the State, commis- 
sioners were appointed to "locate and provide for the erection of an ad- 
ditional penitentiary." That commission located the additional institution 
at Anamosa, Jones county. 

The number of convicts in the Anamosa penitentiary, jNIarch 23 last 
were males 293, females 12. Total 305. The prisoa has accommodatious 
for 800, 495 more than are confined therein. In the Ft. Madison institution 
there were 420 prisoners in confinement, all males. Making a total for the 
two prisons of 725 persons, onlytwehe being females. This is one prisoner 
to each 2,413 of the State's population. We notice that according to census 
bulletin number ninety-five, the number of prisoners in the county jails 
were 327, being 171 prisoners in jail for one million of population. Although 
Iowa was tenth in rank of population, twenty-three of the States of the 



PAUPERISM. 153 

Union exceeded Iowa in the number of prisoners in their jails. The ratio 
■of prisoners in jail to population was 171 prisoners to one million popu- 
lation, and forty-three of the States and Territories exceeded this ratio. 
There is crime in Iowa but there are few States in the Union that have so 
little crime in proportion to population. We gladly acknowledge valuable 
assistance from the Iowa Register in the preparation of this chapter. 

PAUPERISM. 

The great Master, when on earth, said to the murmuring Judas : " The 
poor ye have always with you." The saying is ever true in earthly con- 
ditions. The physically and mentally infirm — the unfortunates are present 
in all countries. For her poor Iowa makes comfortable provision of shelter, 
food, clothing and medical attendance. Iler alms houses may not be pal- 
aces, but they are not prisons nor places of cruelty. There were in 1890, as 
shown by the national census, in the alms houses of the country 73,045 persons, 
or 1,166 to each million of population. Iowa had but 848 to the million of her 
population in her alms houses. The sobriety of her people diminishes 
extreme poverty. And crime and pauperism alike are reduced to a mini- 
mum b}'' the prevalence of sobriety, intelligence and piety, virtues that 
when observed in practical life alike preclude criminal action and pauper- 
ized condition. 

THE NEWSPAPER PRESS. 

The people of this State are known to be generous patrons of literature. 
They are liberal supporters of the press. The State, though comparatively 
young, was settled before the telephone or telegraph was invented. Yet 
when Iowa was opened for settlement, the newspaper had won recognition 
as an instrument of power in political and social affairs, and soon after 
its settlement had its own newspaper establishment. In 1836, but three 
years after its permanent settlement was commenced, John King started 
"The Visitor" in Dubuque, issuing the first number on the 11th daj- of 
May of that year. The press on which that paper was printed was of the 
Smith pattern, and was purchased in Cincinuatti. It did worthy pioneer ser- 
vice. After being used some six years in Dubuque it was sold and removed 
to Lancaster, Wisconsin. After being used there some time it was removed 
to St. Paul, Minnesota, and in another mutation of its ownership was taken 
to Sioux Falls, Dakota, where in March, 1862, on the raiding of that place 
by the Sioux Indians, it was destroyed in the conflagration of the building 
in which it was located. In its somewhat brief history it served in printing 
the first newspapers ever issued in Iowa, Western Wisconsin, Minnesota and 
Dakota. In 1837 James Clark, afterwards Governor of the Iowa territory, 
established a newspaper at Burlington, naming it "The Gazette." It has 
survived the mutations of political administrations, commercial struggles 
and business changes, and is now one of the influential journals of the 
State, publishing daily and weekly editions. 

There are now published in Iowa 951 periodical journals, but four 
of the forty-four States exceeding us in the number of such publications, 
namely, Xew York with 2,13L, Illinois 1,560, Pennsylvania 1,478, and Ohio 
with 1,100. 



,54 HAND BOOK OF IOWA, 

Newspapers are published in each of our ninety-nine counties, there 
being but one of the ninety-nine county seats without a newspaper, namely, 
Concord, the county seat of Hancock county. Two papers are published, 
however, in the town of Garner but a mile distant from Concord. News- 
papers are published in 446 of the cities, towns or villages of the State. Of 
our "ninety and nine" counties five, in 1892, each had three papers, 
namely, Adair, Clark, Winnebago, Emmet and Worth. Eleven counties had 
four papers each, namely, Adams, Audubon, Dickinson, Franklin, Grundy^ 
Hancock, Lucas, Monroe, Palo Alto and Ringgold. Eight other counties 
each had five journals, while Dubuque had 20, Scott 23, Woodbury 26, Linn 
29, and Polk 45. 

Of these 951 publications in this State fifty-eight are daily issues, five 
are tri-weekly, twelve are semi-weekly, 769 weekly, three semi-monthly 
one bi-monthly, eighty-five are monthly journals and two are published 
quarterly. One is published in the Bohemian, nine in the German,, 
three in the Hollandist, seven in the Norwegian and Danish, and one 
in the Swedish languages. Thirteen of the whole number represent 
collegiate interests, twenty are published in the interests of agriculture and 
live stock, thirteen in advocacy of the interests of fraternities, seven are 
educational journals, two medical, two are devoted to the advancement of 
science, eight specially advocate temperance and prohibition, one is pub- 
lished in the advocacy of Woman's Suifrage, one in the interests of people 
of color, ten specially represent various industrial and commercial interests,, 
several are published in aid of Sabbath school work, and one is a juvenile 
journal. There are also a number representing denominational and religious 
interests, while 563 of the whole number are classed as political journals, 330 
advocating the principles of the Republican party, 194 the principles of the 
Democratic party, thirteen are styled Independent-Republican, twelve 
are classed as Independent-Democrat, and fourteen are assorted as 
Greenback, Union Labor, Peoples Party and Anti-Monopoly journals. 

The people of Iowa not only liberally patronize the larger city journals 
but they liberally support their county and village press. All business 
and moral interests and lines of thought are represented by the press of 
low^a. Our newspaper writers have won fame throughout the country, and 
have borne able part not only in the discussion of matters of national inter- 
est but also in the dissemination of intelligence respecting our resources,, 
progress and possibilities and by their work have given valuable aid in pro- 
moting the prosperity and happiness of our people, thereby promoting the 
settlement of our wild lands, and the w^onderous development of this fair 
and noble Iowa. Here the largest possible liberty has ever been allowed 
the press in the discussion of all public questions. This happy privilege 
has led to the multiplication of newspapers but it has resulted in energizing 
thought, quickening activities, inspiring worthy ambitions and noble pur- 
poses, and giving to our honored State the world wide fame it enjoys for 
the superior excellence of its commercial, social and domestic conditions. 




DUBUQUE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. 




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DUBUQUE COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 



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